^; 


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tihraxy  of  Che  'theological  ^tminavy 

PRINCETON    .    NEW  JERSEY 

^^«$- 

PRESENTED  BY 

I'he   instate   of 

V/illiam   Anderson   liCDov/ell 

5(ZC 

l/^l 

^^m.  ^  Gik^§<^-^^^ 


MEMOIRS  *^- 


THE  LATTER  YEARS  OF 


THE  RIGHT  HONOURABLE 


-// 


ly 


CHARLES  JAMES  FOX 


Di  Cui  la  fama  ancor  nel  mondo  dura 

E  durera  quanto  '1  moto,  lontana.         Dante. 


BY  JOHN  BERNARD  TROTTER,  Es^. 

LA.TE  PRIVATE  SECRETARY  TO  MR.  FOX. 


PHILADELPHIA: 


T'UBLISHED  BY  SAMUEL  R.  FISHER,  Ju^ 

NO.  30  SOUTH    FOURTH-STREET. 

A.  Fagan,  l^rinter. 

1812. 


PREFACE 


IN  laying  before  the  public  a  work,  purporting  to 
consist  of  memoirs,  or  biographical  sketches,  of  a  consider- 
able part  of  the  life  of  the  late  Right  Honourable  Charles 
James  Fox^  I  have  no  claim  to  approbation  for  a  complete 
and  entire  work,  as  my  acquaintance  with  that  iilustrious 
character  did  not  commence  till  the  evening  of  his  days. 
Consequently,  I  have  not  attempted  to  give  a  full  account 
of  his  actions,  or  life :  others  may  hereafter  accomplish 
that  task ;  mine  is  at  present  a  less  important  and  less  ex- 
tensive one. 

I  knew  Mr.  Fox,  however,  at  a  period  when  his  glories 
began  to  brighten, — when  a  philosophical  and  noble  de- 
termination had,  for  a  considerable  time,  induced  him  to 
renounce  the  captivating  allurements  and  amusements  of 
fashionable  life, — and  when  resigning  himself  to  rural 
pleasures,  domestic  retirement,  and  literary  pursuits,  he 
became  a  new  man,  or  rather,  more  justly  may  I  say,  he 
returned  to  the  solid  enjoyment  of  a  tranquil,  yet  refined, 
rural  life,  from  which  he  had  been  awhile  withdrawn,  but 
had  never  been  alienated. 

The  more  we  consider  the  nature  of  Mr.  Fox's  educa- 
tion, (which,  according  to  modern  views,  might  be  deem- 
ed by  many  an  excellent  one,  but  had  too  much  of  incite- 


IV 


ment  and  too  little  of  discipline,)  the  more  we  must  won- 
der at,  and  respect  the  firmness  and  self-correction  which 
he  evinced  during  the  last  half  of  his  life.  Educated  by  a 
father,  who  early  saw,  and  admired,  the  talents  of  his  son, 
he  was  too  soon  brought  forward  into  politics,  and  into  a 
responsible  situation.  The  great  models  of  antiquity  were 
not  sufficiently  considered  ;  but  the  natural  partiality  of  the 
late  lord  Holland  goes  far  in  excuse  for  his  error  respect- 
ing the  education  of  his  accomplished  son.  He  did  only 
what  thousands  have  done,  and  are  doing,  unfavourable  as 
are  such  errors,  to  the  complete  and  advantageous  deve- 
lopement  of  a  great  character.  The  mind,  like  the  oak, 
does  not,  or  cannot,  attain  full  perfection,  but  by  slow  de- 
grees. All  premature  shoots,  until  the  leading  roots  have 
deeply  and  firmly  seized  upon  the  soil,  are  injurious;  and 
exTnaust,  or  enfeeble  the  nascent  tree.  It  must  be  granted, 
too,  that  a  commercial  and  luxurious  nation,  however 
great,  is  less  favourable  to  the  production  of  so  extraordi- 
nary a  ch'ctracter  as  that  of  Mr.  Fox,  than  one  in  which 
simplicity  and  disinterestedness  would  be  the  prevailing- 
features. 

The  powerful  weight  of  mercantile  interests  in  the  coun- 
cils of  the  English  people,  is  decidedly  adverse  to  the  ger- 
mination, expansion,  and  glory  of  genius.  The  noblest 
and  highest  motives  impelled  Mr.  Fox,  in  vain,  to  put 
forth  his  powers,  to  excite  his  country  to  what  is  wisest 
and  most  glorious, — to  advise  with  prophetic  force,  and 
to  argue  with  irresistible  demonstration.  He  was  not 
heard  with  interest,  because  there  was  nothing  congenial 
in  his  arguments ;  he  was  neither  applauded  nor  reward- 
ed, because  his  auditors  had  no  faculty  by  which  to  esti- 
mate his  merits ;  and  he  returned  home  weary  and  dis- 
gusted. The  views  of  mercenary  politicians  coincide 
rather  with  the  declaiming  arrogance  of  any  man  who  has 
bartered  the  national  welfare  for  mercantile  support ;  who 
has  strengthened  his  party  by  the  artificial  influence  of 
commerce  ;  and»  having  satisfied  his  thirst  for  domination, 


^ 


leaves  his  country  involved,  his  party  in  difficulties,  and 
commerce  itself  languishing  and  exhausted,  by  the  efforts 
which  its  avarice  had  tempted  it  to  make,  and  which  his 
incitements  had  contributed  to  extend. 

There  is  a  strong  similarity,  not  only  in  the  style  of 
oratory,  but  in  the  fortunes  of  Demosthenes  and  Fox. 
The  oratory  of  both  was  plain,  but  of  mighty  strength. 
Each  appears  to  have  thought  more  of  his  subject  than  his 
audience,— to  have  burst  forth  with  demonstrative  reason- 
ing and  facts,' — and  trusting  to  the  power  of  truth  on  the 
hearts  of  patriots,  to  have  given  the  wisest  counsels,  in 
the  strongest  and  most  vigorous  manner.  Demosthenes 
had  the  great  advantage  of  speaking  to  a  large  and  inde- 
pendent popular  assembly.  Fox  spoke  to  one  of  too  aris- 
tocratic, as  well  as  commercial  a  cast,  to  expect  the  same 
effects  from  his  eloquence. 

I  have  often  admired  the  sweetness  and  equanimity  of 
his  temper  in  returning  from  the  unavailing  war  of  words, 
in  which  he  bore  so  supereminent,  but  fruitless  a  part. 
Though  fatigued  with  so  many  barren  struggles,  although 
he  distinctly  saw  the  ruin  preparing  by  a  rash  and  obsti- 
nate minister,  for  his  country,  no  expression  of  bitterness 
ever  escaped  him  in  private  life ;  the  name  of  that  minis- 
ter, was  rarely,  if  at  all,  noticed  by  him,  and  never  with 
acrimony.  His  determination,  when  he  seceded  from  par- 
liament, to  retire  much  from  public  life,  until  the  misguid- 
ed people  saw  the  errors  into  which  they  were  plunging, 
certainly  arose  from  this  hopeless  scene  of  useless  debate, 
—a  determination  which  I  have  never  ceased  to  regret  he 
did  not  scrupulously  adhere  to,  as  suitable  to  the  grandeur 
of  his  character,  his  simplicity,  and  his  indifference  for 
power;  at  once  beneficial  to  his  health,  and  promising 
ultimate  advantage  to  the  state. 

Having    enjoyed   his  private    friendship,  and  been  ad- 
mitted into  his  domestic  circle,  at  this   period,  I  may  be 


VI 


asked  what  were  his  preparations  for  debate  I  I  answer,— 
no?ie  ! — I  have  often  known  hijn,  when  a  debate  was  ex- 
pected of  importance,  pursuing  his  usual  studies,  the  day 
before,  in  poetry,  history,  botany,  or  natural  history  ;  -his 
conversation  was  the  same  ;  his  walks,  and  his  inspection 
of  his  litde  farm,  were  unchanged ;  nor,  as  far  as  came 
within  my  observation,  did  he  abstract  himself  from  his 
family,  or  ordinary  society  an  hour,  or  a  moment,  for  any 
preparation  when  great  debates  were  impending. 

His  despatches,  which  were  compositions  nothing  infe- 
rior to  his  orations,  and,  I  believe,  quite  sui  generis  in 
England,  he  mentally  composed  before  they  were  com- 
mitted to  paper,  when  he  wrote  or  dictated  them  with 
great  facility.  They,  as  well  as  his  orations,  were  digest- 
ed, I  think,  in  a  few  moments  of  silent  rapid  reflection, 
and  they  then  gave  him  no  further  anxiety.  His  memory 
was  so  exquisitely  powerful,  that  it  supplied  him  with 
every  subject  matter  he  required  for  study;  and  when 
other  men  were  obliged  to  recur  to  books,  he  had  only  to 
apply  to  the  sources  of  his  mind,  and  proceed  in  his  ar- 
gument or  composition. 

Lord  Holland,  in  his  preface  to  Mr.  Fox's  Historical 
Fragment,  has  dwelt  rather  too  much  upon  his  uncle's  so- 
licitude as  to  historical  composition :  Mr.  Fox  doubtless 
felt  anxious  to  keep  it  distinct,  as  he  ought,  from  oratorical 
delivery ;  but  I  am  inclined  to  think,  that  historic  matter 
flowed  from  him,  as  his  despatches  did,  with  facility  and 
promptness.  His  manuscript  of  the  Fragment,  of  which 
a  good  part  is  in  his  own  hand-writing,  has  but  very  few 
corrections  or  alterations  ;  and  his  great  anxiety  (and  very 
justly)  appears  to  me  to  have  regarded  facts,  rather  than 
style.  I  differ  from  the  noble  editor  with  extreme  regret 
on  this  point,  as  I  have  found  myself  obliged  to  do  in  the 
following  work  on  some  others.  Mr.  Fox's  singular  mo- 
desty and  sincerity  may  have  led  him  to  express  distrust 
of  himself;   bat  his  powers  were  too  commanding  to  ad- 


vn 


jnit  of  hesitation  or  difFiculty  in  any  species  of  composi- 
tion to  which  he  directed  them. 

His  letters  are  perfect  in  their  kind,  more  agreeable 
(  as  they  have  nothing  of  his  egotism)  than  those  of  Cicero, 
and  more  solid  than  those  of  Madame  de  Sevigne.  Those 
which  I  have  been  able  to  present  to  the  reader  are  mo- 
dels of  English  composition,  as  well  as  valuable  deposito- 
ries of  the  critical  opinions  of  Mr.  Fox  upon  the  most 
excellent  authors  of  ancient  and  modern  times.  I  am 
tempted  to  think,  from  the  elegance  and  conciseness  of  all 
his  compositions,  that  his  historical  fragment  was  written 
under  the  disadvantage  of  his  frame  of  mind,  being  some- 
what affected  by  a  tinge  of  melancholy,  which  produced  in 
some  parts  a  certain  diffuseness,  not  otherwise  likely  to 
have  taken  place.  Public  affairs  were  so  manifestly  tend- 
ing to  a  crisis  when  he  wrote,  and  the  minister  had  so 
much  weakened  and  impaired  the  constitution,  that  Mr. 
Fox  could  not  but  grievcy — for  his  feelings  were  warm, 
and  his  mind  of  a  truly  patriotic  cast;  and  it  was  ex- 
tremely natural,  that  unsuspected  by  himself,  something 
of  this  disposition  of  mind  should  be  imparted  to  the  work 
he  had  undertaken  at  that  period.  At  such  a  time,  and 
in  that  state  of  mind,  travelling  would  have  afforded  better 
occupation  to  Mr.  Fox  than  writing  history;  but  from  that 
he  was  precluded :  he  was  shut  out  from  the  continent  by 
the  French  war,  and  in  having  recourse  to  history,  (still 
continuing  his  exertions  in  favour  of  liberty)  he  shewed 
the  generous  struggles  of  a  noble  mind  to  serve  his  coun- 
try and  posterity  in  the  only  way  left  open  to  him ;  and  if 
a  shade  of  melancholy  pervades  it,  the  source  from  whence 
it  certainly  sprung  (  for  he  was  easy  in  circumstances,  and 
truly  happy  in  domestic  life  )  is  the  most  honourable  and 
venerable  sentiment  which  can  exist  in  the  human  breast, 
—grief  for  a  wronged  and  unhappily  misguided  country  ! 

In  one  grand  point  all  his  compositions,  his  letters,  dse- 
patches,  historical  work,  and  orations,  beautifully  harmon^ 


Vlll 


ize, — I  mean,  in  genuine  Christian  love  for  mankind,  as 
fellow -creatures  and  friends.  This  will  be  found  the  uni- 
form impulse  through  Mr.  Fox's  glorious  life.  In  the 
work  I  offer  to  my  readers,  imperfect  as  it  is,  that  great 
principle  will  appear  to  be  clearly  developed. 

It  is  singular,  or  at  least  is  worthy  of  remark,  that,  al- 
though Mr.  Fox  knew  nothing,  or  very  little,  of  geometry, 
no  man  spoke  or  wrote  with  more  precision ;  his  demon- 
strations were  always  mathematically  correct  and  conclu- 
sive, and  his  language  was  very  exact,  and  free  from  all 
redundancy.  That  noble  science  indubitably  aids  and  im- 
proves the  powers  of  reasoning,  and  is  of  immense  utility 
in  life;  yet  Mr.  Fox  derived  no  assistance  from  it.  There 
can,  however,  be  little  doubt  that  his  progress  in  it  would 
have  been  rapid,  and  that  his  logical  faculty  would  have 
been  strengthened  by  it.  About  five  or  six  years  before 
his  death,  he  expressed  much  regret  to  me  at  his  ignorance 
of  mathematics,  and  seemed  then  inclined  to  turn  his  atten- 
tion to  those  sciences,  and  in  particular  to  astronomy.  It 
is  very  probable,  that  as  he  appeared  to  testify  a  strong 
inclination  for  mathematics,  he  would  have  applied  to 
them,  if  he  had  continued  in  retirement. 

His  return  to  politics  prevented  this  design,  and  sus- 
pended his  history.  The  words  of  the  noble  editor  of 
the  Fragment  are  very  remarkable  as  to  Mr.  Fox  forego- 
ing his  original  intention  of  retiring  for  a  time  from  pub- 
lic life.  "  The  remonstrances,  however,  of  those  friends, 
for  whose  judgment  he  had  the  greatest  deference,  ulti- 
mately prevailed."  Here  is  a  proof,  from  the  authority 
of  lord  Holland,  how  reluctant  Mr.  Fox  was  to  abandon 
his  intention.  I  know  that  the  basis  of  his  determination 
was  a  solid  and  grand  one ;  that  occasionally  at  his  break- 
fast table  we  had  a  little  discussion  on  this  point,  and  that 
Mrs.  Fox  and  myself  uniformly  joined  in  recommending 
retirement,  until  the  people  felt  properly  upon  public  affairs. 
I  am  sorry  to  be  compelled  to  say,  that  the  friends  who 


"  ultimately  prevailed,"  calculated  very  ill  upon  political 
matters,  and  did  not  sufficiently  estimate  the  towering  and 
grand  character  of  Mr.  Fox. 

Lord  Holland  also  says,  in  his  preface,  "  The  cicum- 
stances  which  led  him  once  more  to  take  an  active  part  ia 
public  discussions,  are  foreign  to  the  purposes  of  this  pre- 
face."— 'Yet,  either  these  circumstances  should  have  been 
explained,  or. not  at  all  touched  upon.  I  know,  that  the 
circumstance  which  Mr.  Fox  had  made  indispensable  in 
his  original  determination,  had  not  occurred.  A  partial 
change  of  ministry  had  nothing  to  do  with  that  general 
sensation  of  the  people  which  Mr.  Fox  had  looked  to  as 
the  proper  moment  for  his  coming  forward  with  benefit  to 
his  sovereign  and  his  country. 

There  is  an  idea  which  will,  perhaps,  very  much  eluci- 
date the  point,  and  make  things  plainer  than  the  circumlo- 
cution of  lord  Holland.  The  party  wanted  a  leader  /  It 
is  very  obvious  to  me,  that  to  this  very  want  may  be  attri- 
buted the  solicitations  which  "  ultimately  prevailed"  against 
Mr.  Fox's  better  and  undistorted  judgment.  I  am  happy 
to  testify,  that  Mrs.  Fox  constantly  endeavoured,  as  far 
as  I  had  opportunity  of  observing,  to  fortify  and  confirm 
Mr.  Fox  in  his  wise  and  noble  resolution ;  and  persevered, 
even  in  despite  of  the  warmth  of  party,  which  sometimes 
blamed  her  for  detaining  him  in  retirement. 

It  is,  however,  with  considerable  pain  I  have  been  led 
to  condemn  lord  Holland's  forbearance  and  silence  on  this 
very  interesting  point,  (certainly  far  more  so  than  Mr. 
Fox's  private  opinion  as  to  the  minutiae  of  style)  but  there 
is  something  so  august  in  his  character,  and  my  opportu- 
nities of  knowing  its  value,  were  such  rare  ones,  that  I 
bend  to  the  necessity  of  stating  historic  truth,  as  far  as  I 
can,  even  though  forced  to  differ  with  the  noble  lord,  who 

XKHERITS  HIS   NAME  AND  VIRTUES. 


^ 


Before  I  conclude  this  introductory  preface  to  the  work 
I  have  been  undertaken,  I  feel  it  necessary  to  advert  to 
the  concluding  pages  of  the  noble  editor  just  mentioned, 
I  would  willingly  suppress  all  private  opinion,  where  I  can 
do  so  with  justice  to  my  subject  J  but  the  inverse  mode  of 
reasoning  to  that  adopted  by  his  lordship,  appears  to  me 
to  be  the  most  just.  Are  the  present  race  to  go  to  the 
grave  without  further  knowledge  of  Mr.  Fox  than  that 
conveyed  in  the  Preface  to  the  Fragment  ?  lord  Holland 
says, 

"  Those  who  admired  Mr.  Fox  in  public,  and  those 
who  loved  him  in  private,  must  naturally  feel  desirous 
that  some  memorial  should  be  preserved  of  the  great  and 
good  qualities  of  his  head  and  heart." 

Ought  not  this  to  be  conclusive  with  all  that  great  man's 
admirers  and  friends  ?  His  lordship  justly  complains  of 
false  accounts,  and  that  very  circumstance  points  out  the 
necessity  of  something  genuine  and  authentic?  Every  one 
will  not  judge  so  clearly  as  lord  Holland;  because,  that 
they  do  not  know  so  much  of  Mr.  Fox  as  he  and  his 
other  intimate  friends.  The  Preface  says,  "  the  objections 
to  such  an  undertaking  at  present  are  obvious,  and,  after 
much  reflection,  they  have  appeared  to  those  connected 
with  him  insuperable*^ 

It  never  appeared  to  me  that  the  task  could  be  execu- 
ted by  any  of   Mr.    Fox's  own  family  with  propriety ;  but 

as  ONE  OF  THE  ILLUSTRIOUS  DEAD's  SINCERE  AND  DEVOTED 

FRIENDS,  I  never  entered  into  any  compact  to  abstain  from 
giving  the  public  any  information  I  could  upon  the  most  in- 
teresting subject  that  can  occupy  the  attention  of  all  liberal 
and  patriotic  characters,  of  every  lover  of  the  human  race,  of 
science,  of  virtue,  and  of  their  country.  I  cannot  com- 
promise the  interests  of  truth,  and  the  venerable  fam^  of 
him  who  is  now  no  more !  his  is  truly  the 


XI 


"  Clarura  et  venerabile  Nomen/' 


Which  to  me  shines  as  with  the  light  of  a  beacon,  to  guide 
me  through  the  maze  of  conflicting  and  complicated  par- 
ties Never  shall  I  think  of  sparing  the  delicacy  of  poli- 
ticians, when  the  resplendent  luminary  from  whom  they 
borrowed  their  lights  is  concerned ;  no  shadow,  no  spot 
shall  remain  upon  his  orb,  if  the  honest  touch  of  truth 
can  remove  it.  If  the  good  of  an  empire,  and  the  wishes 
of  millions  for  information;  if  the  honour  and  name  of 
Fox  are  concerned,  I  cannot  stop  to  consider  of  wounding 
"  the  feelings  of  individuals."  I  shall  suppress  no  truth, 
no  circumstance.  I  stand  before  my  country,  not  daring 
to  be  false,  and  I  offer  to  the  shade  of  Fox  the  imperfect, 
but  genuine  and  unbiassed  homage  of  a  faithful  tribute  to 
his  memory. 

I  cannot  presume  to  think  that  the  following  volume 
gives  an  adequate  idea  of  the  character  of  Mr.  Fox.  The 
early  part  of  his  life  must  at  present  remain  a  desideratum 
among  his  admirers.  It  is  on  its  close  only  that  I  have,  I 
hope,  been  peculiarly  enabled  to  throw  a  full  and  satisfac- 
tory degree  of  light.  In  early  youth,  I  understand  Mr.  Fok 
was  distinguished  by  extraordinary  application  to  study. 
He  was  abroad  for  a  short  time  at  the  early  age  of  four- 
teen, to  which  may  be  attributed,  probably,  that  fluency,  per- 
fect understanding,  and  good  pronunciation  of  French, 
which  most  eminently  marked  him,  amongst  his  country- 
men, and  even  Frenchmen,  at  Paris.  His  knowledge  of  Ita- 
lian was  nearly  as  great,  and  probably  to  be  attributed  to  the 
same  cause.  If  I  were  to  sketch  the  divisions  of  his  life, 
I  would  form  them  into  three  parts  : — His  youth, 
warm  and  impetuous,  but  full  of  extraordinary  promise. 
His  MIDDLE  AGE,  energetic  and  patriotic.  His  latter 
DAYS,  commencing  from  the  French  revolution,  simple, 
grand,  and  sublime. 


Xll 


The  splendour  of  the  last  period  presents  a  picture  of 
magnanimity  and  wisdom  of  stupendous  dimensions,  and 
the  most  powerful  effect.  I  have  described  his  domestic 
life  in  this  period.  I  have  given  to  the  world,  his  travels, 
a  little  of  his  public  life,  and  the  closing  scene  not  un- 
worthy of  the  past  life  of  Fox ! 

My  readers  will  render  justice  to  his  memory,  and  ex- 
cuse the  faults  and  errors  of  this  performance,  in  consider- 
ing the  difficulties  which  have  attended  the  undertaking; 
the  scarcity  of  written  documents  to  consult,  and  the  pain- 
ful recollections  which  have  often  suspended  the  work,  and 
rendered  its  progress  almost  intolerable.  I  have,  however, 
acquitted  myself  without  any  vain  presumption,  or  expecta- 
tion of  applause,  but  with  anxious  and  trembling  solicitude, 
lest  I  may  not  have  done  justice  to  the  grand  and  affect- 
ing subject. 

It  is  with  no  ordinary  feelings  of  respect  and  diffidence 
that  I  intrude  upon  an  intelligent  public.  I  leave  to  their 
indulgent  consideration  the  following  effort  to  give  them 
an  outline  of  the  latter  part  of  the  life  of  Mr.  Fox,  relying 
upon  the  words  of  the  noble  editor  of  the  Historical  Frag- 
ment, that  "  those  who  admired  Mr.  Fox  in  public,  and 
those  who  loved  him  in  private,  must  naturally  feel  desir- 
ous that  some  memorial  should  be  preserved  of  the  great 
and  gQod  qualities  of  his  head  and  heart," 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Vulgar  prejudices  relative  to  Mr.  Fox — His  superiority 
over  Mr,  Pitt — The  mistakes  and  misfortunes  of  the 
latter — Character  of  Mr,  Fox — Description  of  St,  Anne's 
mil — The  author'*s  impressions  on  arriving-  there — The 
happy  retirement  of  Mr,  Fox  -  -  25  to  32. 


CHAPTER  II. 


Domestic  habits  of  Mr.  Fox — The  author^s  obligation  to 
record  his  virtues — Contrasted  with  Mr,  Pitt — His  love 
of  nature — His  ameJiity — His  conjugal  affection — His 
originality — The  newspapers — His  conversation — His 
political  foresight — His  invitation  to  the  author*— De- 
parture for  France — Impressions  in  Kent  ZZ  to  44, 


CHAPTER  III. 


Refections  on  approaching  France — Reception  at  Calais — 


XIV 


Independent  conduct  towards  Mr.  G* Connor-^Singular 
distinction  made  by  sir  Francis  Burdett'-— Opinion  of 
that  baronet — Calais — St.  Omer^s       -       -       45  to  52. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Impressions  on  entering'  the  Netherlands^-^Mr.  Fox's 
knowledge  of  agriculture — Delightful  situation  of  Cas- 
sel — Revolutionartj  impiety — Joseph  Andrews^-'^Mrs, 
Fox — Tree  of  liberty  -         -  -  54  ^<?  61. 


CHAPTER  V. 


Lisle — Public  respect  paid  to  Mr.  Fox — General  G*  Mara 
>— "Public  dinner  given  to  Mr.  Fox*-^His  dij^dence-'- 
Ghent' — Charles  Fifth — His  retirement  contrasted  with 
that  cf  Mr.  Fox — Public  homage  to  Mr.  Fox^-. Antwerp 
*-^The  Mneid — Mr.  Fox's  tenderness — His  taste  in 
poetry — Enlargement  of  France--  Breda — Gardens  of 
the  stadtholder — Impressions  excited  by  Holland — 
Utrecht — Industry  and  liberty — Amsterdam — Haarlem 
— Ley  den — The  Hague — The  stadtholder'^^The  De 
Witts — The  Mneid — Rotterdam — Berg  en- op-zoom — A- 
griculture  and  commerce — Brussels — The  Mneid — Lord 
Holland — M.  Chauvelin — Lord  Grenville — Barras — Mr. 
Walker'' s  Tom  Jones — Gemappe — Cambray — Valenci- 
ennes— Ariosto — Tour  to  Constantinople  62  to  122. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Observations  on  Mr.  Fox'^s  character — His  opinion  of  reli- 
gion— Refections    on    approaching   Paris — Bonaparte 


XV 


compared  to    Aug'usfus*^ Arrival  at    Paris'^Hbtel  dc 
Richelieu^''Climate  of  Paris  -  -        123^^131. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Attractions  of  Paris — The  first  consul — His  establishment 

for  life^^Character  of  Moreau — The  new  government 

Miracles  wrought  by  Mr.  Pitt-^Circulating  medium  of 
France — French  theatre — Racine'^Public  honours  paid 
to  Mr,  FoX'-^First  consul  at  the  theatre        132  to  139. 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

The  Louvre — French  policy — Mr,  Fox^s  feeling  of  paint- 
ings— His  favourites — His  enthusiasm — Visit  to  Ver- 
sailles—  To   the  Petit  Trianon — General  Fitzpatrick 

Lord  Robert  Spencer — Marie  Antoinette — Lord  St.  John 
— Mr.  Adair — Bureau  des  affaires  etr anger es — Letters  of 
Barillon — Intrigues  of  Louis  and  James        140  to  149, 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Visit  to  Tivoli — To  the  theatres — Mr,  Fox^s  ear  for  music 
— Visit  from  Kosciusko — Description  of  that  great  man 
— Mr^  Fox^s  reception  of  him — Party  to  St,  Cloud-^ 
Meudon — Madame  Roland — Bellevue-v^Neuilly — Opera 
Francois — Visit  to  the  Thuilleries  -         150  to  158. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Conduct   of  foreigners — The   levee — Second  party  to  St. 
Cloud—- Monsieur  de  Grave — Pleasant  afternoon — Hap- 


XVI 


piness  of  Mr*  Fox — House  of  Murat — Visit  to  Talley- 
rand— His  person^  and  that  of  Madame — His  parties — 
Affairs  of  Switzerland         -  -  -       159  to  166. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


The  consular  review — The  great  levee — Mr.  Merry — The 
chevalier  d^Azara — The  Turkish  ambassador — Count 
Markoff — The  marquis  Lucchesim — The  marquis  de 
Gallo — The  count  Cobenzel — Mr*  Livingston — Cardinal 
Caprara — The  author"*  s  impressions — Bonaparte-^Le 
Bruii — Cambaceres — 3Ir*  Fox^s  introduction — Bonapar- 
te's address  to  him — Lord  Erskine — Lawyers  have  a  low 
national  rank — Their  pursuits  narrow  and  grovelling-^— 
Bonaparte"* s  question  to  a  young  English  offcer — De- 
scription of  Bonaparte — Reflections  of  the  author — 
Aloys  Reding — Toussaint — English  dinner  party — Mr, 
Kemble — English  maimers — The  abbe  Sieyes   10^7  to  177. 


CHAPTER  XIL 


Historical  researches — Charles^  James^  and  Louis — Dinner 
at  Talleyrand'' s — Due  d'^Uzeze — Hauterive — Roederer 
— Madame  Talleyrand"* s  circle — Count  Cobenzel — The 
prince  of  Saxe  We'wiar — The  abbate  Casti — Brueys — 
Mr.  Fox  in  a  drawing  room — Madame  Bonaparte''s 
drawing  room — Her  character — Visit  to  Helen  Maria 
Witliams — M,  Perregaux^s  dinner  -         178  to  184, 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Visit  from  M.  de  la  Fayette — His  person^  character ^    and 
pure  patriotism — Similarity  betxveen  him  and  Fox — His 


XV II 


retirement — His  invitation — General  Fox — Interior  of 
^t.  Cloud — Madame  Recamier^s  dejeune — Ge7ieral  Mo- 
reau — Eugene  Beauharnois^-'Interesting  character  of 
Madame  Recamier — French  acting — Seance  of  the  tribu- 
nate— Hotel  des  Invalides — Voltaire^s  Zaire   185  to  193. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Exhibition  of  national  manufactures' — The  first  consul-^ 
His  interview  with  Mr,  Fox — Low  opinion  of  the  latter 
of  the  French  government — Characteristics  of  Mr,  Fox 
— Mr,  Hare> — M.  de  Narbonne — Mr,  West  and  Mr,  Opie 
— Madame  Tallien^s  dinner* — Afr,  Arthur  O'Connor — A- 
musements — M,  Tallien — Bonaparte* s  dinner — His  con- 
versation— Mr,  Fox*s  opinion  of  him — His  charge  against 
Mr,  Windham — His  political  plans — Mr,  Fox^s  impres- 
sion -  -  -  -  -  -        194  to  200. 


CHAPTER    XV. 


Visit  to  Fayette — His  house  at  La  Grange — His  family — - 
Madame — His  daughters — Their  heroism — General  Fitz- 
Patrick — Interesting  trio  of  characters — Lally  Tollendal 
—  The  vicinity — Happiness  of  Mr,  Fox — The  pure  and 
exalted  character  of  Fayette — His  innocent  occupa- 
tions   201  ?c?  206. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


Rumours  of  xvar — A.miable  disposition  of  the  French — Di7i- 
ner  at  Berthier^s^^Berthier — Massena — Bougainville— 
Volney — Conclusion  of  labours    at    the    archives — j^ir. 


xvm 


Fox^s  Historical  Fragment — Its  immaturity — Research- 
es at  Paris  not  incorporated — Author'' s  opinion  of  the 
noble  editor — Description  of  Mr.  Fox^s  labours  at  the 
archives — The  grand  opera — Lawyers  disagreeable 
everywhere — Notre  Dayne — Pantheon — Another  consu- 
lar levee — Bonaparte"* s  repeated  questions       207  to  215. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


General  results — Manners — Dress — Agriculture — Police — 
Politeness — Amusements  of  the  French — Government — 
Invigoration — Taxes — Simplification  of  the  laws — Sus- 
picion— Jealousy — State  prisons — Consequence  of  mili- 
tary state — Parting  with  Mr,  and  3Irs,  Fox — Conclu- 
sion of  the  First  Part  ...         216  to  22t. 


PART  11 


CHAPTER  I, 


Consequences  of  the  death  of  Mr,  Pitt — 3Ii\  Fox's  deter- 
mined retirement — Persuasions  used  to  induce  him  to  be- 
come part  of  a  motley  administration —  The  author'* s  pre- 
sentiments'—Opinions in  Ireland — Of  Ladij  Moira — Her 
just  views  and  exhortations — Her  sensibility  after  Mr. 
Fox^s  death — Irish  expectatiojis—The  author'' s  fore- 
bodings— His  arrival  in  London — Mr,  Fox^s  health — 
Refections — Patriotism  of  the  king — Arduous  duties  of 
Mr.  Fox — His  exertions  and  assiduity — Confidence  in- 
spired  by  Mr,  Fox — S'tr  F,  Vincent — Mr.  Fox^s  dress  at 
court — The  king'^s  reception — Intercourse  between  Mr, 
Fox  and  his  majesty — The  king''s  opinion  of  his  conduct 
in  ojfice — Liberal  forbearance  of  the  catholics—Statement 
of  their  case — Pressure  of  business — 3Ir,  Fcx^s  reliance 
on  the  conciliating  character  of  the  duke  of  Bedford  in 
Ireland — Policy  of  Messrs,  Grattan,  Foiisonby^  and  their 
friends  »  ,  ^  -  -  224  to  241. 


XX 


CHAPTER  IL 


Retirement  to  St,  Anne's  Hill — Lord  Albemarle— His 
character^  and  that  of  lady  Albemarle — The  Messrs. 
Porters — Proposed  parallel  of  Fox  and  Fayette — His 
love  of  literature — Euripides — Spencer — Chaucer — As- 
perity of  Mr,  Canning — Author"* s  disappointment  in  lord 
Holland'' s  Preface — Mr,  Fox's  attention  to  old  friends — 
Mr,  Cur  ran— Lord  Holland — Mr.  Fox's  assiduity  in 
business  »  -  .  -  ^  242  to  250. 


CHAPTER  IIL 


Negotiations  for  peace — Fox  and  Talleyrand — Sincerity  of 
France — Lord  Grenville — Feelings  of  Mr,  Fox — Ad- 
vantages resulting  from  his  high  character— Tran- 
sition '  -  -  -  -  251  to  255. 


CHAPTER  IV» 


First  announcement  of  illness — The  JEneid — Dido — His 
sympathetic  conduct  at  Holland  House— Increase  of  dis- 
ease— Exercise — Lord  Fitzxvilliam — His  excellent  char- 
acter—  The  prince  of  Wales — His  endearing  attentions 
■ — Duke  of  Clarence — Duke  of  Tork — Miss  Fox — Mrs, 
Fox — Crahbe's  Poems — Mr.  Sheridan — Mr,  Grattan — 
Operation  of  tapping — Derangement  of  the  negotiation 
zvith  France — Lord  Lauderdale — Duke  of  De'U07ishire — 
Removal  to  Chistvick  house-^His portrait  there — Employ- 
vients — Exercise — Return  of  Pittite  feelings  256  to  263. 


XXI 


CHAPTER  V, 


Increase  of  disease — The  Mneid — Sympathy  of  the  public 
— Consolations  of  a  good  conscience — Summary  of  his 
virtues — General  Fitzpatrick — Lord  Robert  Spencer — 
Mrs»  Fox — Duke  and  dutchess  of  Devonshire — Lords 
Grenville  and  Grey — Value  of  Mr,  Fox's  ideas  on  public 
affairs — Indifference  of  the  cabiiiet — Dignity  of  Fox — 
Second  operation  of  tapping — His  self-possession  and  equa- 
nimity *^Plan  for  improving  medical  science  264^0  272. 


CHAPTER  VL 


Operation  useless — Author  and  Mrs.  Fox  in  constant  at- 
tendance— Johnson^s  Lives  of  the  Poets — Dryden — 
Lord  Holland — General  Fitzpatrick — Miss  Fox — Her 
character — Alarming  symptoms — Solemnity  of  the  au- 
thor''s  duty — Last  employments  of  Mr,  Fox — The  dutchess 
of  Devonshire's  dressing  room — Awful  impressions^^Pa- 
tience  of  Mr,  Fox-^No  causes  for  self-reproach  27  o  to  278* 


CHAPTER  VIL 


Determination  to  try  digitalis — The  author'' s  forebodings 
— Advantages  of  removing  to  St,  Anne*s  Hill — The  His- 
tory—  His  last  opinions — Conduct  of  the  physicians — 
Author"*.?  solicitude — His  reluctance  to  adyninister  a 
strong  remedy — Its  alarming  effects — Approaching  dis- 
solution— His  calmness — His  dying  sentiment — His  last 
zvords-^His  death  -  -  -  279  to  285, 


MISCELLANEOUS 


FACTS  AND  OBSERVATIONS. 


Event  accompanying  his  death — His  countenance  after 
death* — Cast  taken  from  his  face — Embalming — His  re- 
ligious opinions — The  immortality  of  the  soul — Resigna- 
tion to  Providence — Dr,  Parr^s  work-^His  body  opened — ^ 
Observations  thereon — Digitalis — His  ideas  of  burial— 
His  last  wishes — A  public  funeral  resolved  on — Vast  con- 
course of  mourners — Their  character  and  affecting  con- 
duct— The  procession  to  Westminster — Sympathy  of  the 
people — His  grave* — Reflections  and  anguish  of  the  au- 
thor »»...-        2^7  to  296. 


PART  III. 


4 


LETTERS  OF  Mr.  FOX  TO  THE  AUTHOR! 

>   299 
LETTERS  OF  GENERAL  FAYETTE  ) 


■frifii 


MEMOIRS 


OP 


CHARLES  JAMES  FOX 


CHAPTER  I. 


IN  recurring  to  the  happy  days  when  St.  Anne's 
Hill  possessed  its  benevolent  and  illustrious  master, 
a  gloom  pervades  my  mind,  which  neither  time,  nor  change 
of  scene,  has  been  able  wholly  to  dissipate. 

Let  me,  however,  suppress  my  feelings,  and  commence 
with  the  period  of  the  year  1802,  when  Mr.  Fox  left  his 
beloved  spot,  to  visit  the  nevy,  brilliant,  and  extraordinary 
scenes  then  opening  in  France.  If  it  will  not  be  deemed 
superfluous,  (and  can  any  thing  be  superfluous  relating 
to  that  great  man  ?)  I  shall  introduce  to  my  reader  an 
outline  of  the  domestic  life  of  Mr.  Fox,  in  that  dig- 
nified retirement  in  which  he  had  found  true  happiness, 
and  in  which  those  admirable  talents  so  capable  of  guiding 

D 


26 

and  saving  a  nation,  were  devoted  to  the  rational  purpose 
of  acquiring  knowledge,  and  enlarging  a  mind  already  so 
powerful  and  capacious. 

The  vulgar,  whose  prejudices  it  is  difficult  to  efface, 
and  who  are  more  prone  to  depreciate  than  to  make  allow- 
ance for  great  characters,  have  long  imagined,  and  even 
still  continue  to  think,  that  Mr.  Fox  was  a  mere  dissipated 
man  of  pleasure.  ITiis  idea  had  been  industriously  cher- 
ished and  propagated  by  a  party,  whose  interested  views 
were  promoted,  by  keeping  from  the  councils  of  the  nation, 
a  man  so  eminently  their  superior.  The  unprincipled 
desires  of  selfish  ambition  had  kept  him  out  of  stations  for 
which  nature  had  most  eminently  qualified  him.  Destined, 
as  he  appeared,  for  being  the  founder  of  a  political  school 
in  England — capable  of  raising  her  in  the  opinion  of  other 
nations,  it  was  his  ill  fate  to  be  opposed  by  a  minister  inca- 
pable of  appreciating  his  merit,  and  unwilling  to  recommend 
it  to  the  approbation  of  his  sovereign;  though  himself 
unfit  to  be  premier,  and  indeed  inadequate  to  fill  any  con- 
siderable department  of  the  state. 

The  calumny  thus  attached  to  Mr.  Fox,  and  the  selfish 
monopoly  of  power  which  excluded  him  from  the  cabinet, 
have  been  productive  of  those  enormous  evils  to  the  Eng- 
lish nation — which  now  threaten  her  very  existence.  Mr. 
Pitt,  under  the  controul  of  an  extensive  and  liberal  genius, 
like  that  of  Mr.  Fox,  might  have  been  a  useful  minister  of 
finance ;  but,  in  the  regulation  of  the  concerns  of  the 
world,  his  vigour  was  creative  of  destruction,  and  his  im- 
perious spirit,  so  unworthy  a  true  statesman,  was  prejudicial 
to  liberty  abroad,  and  dangerous  to  it  at  home.  The 
financial  dictator  of  Downing-street  was  unfit  to  cope  with 
the  consummate  military  and  diplomatic  characters  who 
had  arisen  upon  the  continent ;  and,  it  is  very  probable 
that  his  father,  lord  Chatham,  a  man  great  through  the 
weakness  of  France,  would  have  been  foiled  in  such  a 
contest;  certainly  not  with  so  much  disgrace, but,  perhaps, 


with  equal  misfortune  to  the  country.  The  most  mischie-V' 
ously  fatal  error  which  a  statesman  can  be  guilty  of,  is  to 
use  coercive  severity  in  direct  opposition  to  the  bent  of 
human  nature.  The  re-action  produced,  countervails  all 
common  plans ;  and  the  supremacy  over  clerks,  secretaries, 
and  members  of  parliament,  affords  dangerous  data  on 
which  to  ground  expectation,  when  foreign  nations  are  the 
subjects  of  fancied  management.  An  enlarged,  and  an  ar- 
rogant mind,  are  essentially  different  as  to  their  views,  and 
the  comprehensiveness  of  their  operations.  To  superficial 
or  selfish  observers  their  plans  may  seem,  for  a  while,  si- 
milar ;  but  those  of  the  latter  are  productive  of  discom- 
fiture and  fertile  in  disgrace. 

I  have,  however,  no  desire  to  stigmatize  one  of  thest 
personages  to  elevate  the  other  !  Both  rest  in  the  grave  :— 
but  I  should  deem  it  derogatory  to  Mr.  Fox^s  memory,  if 
I  paid  any  posthumous  compliments  to  the  character  and 
talents  of  a  minister,  of  whom  the  best  that  can  be  said  is, 
that  he  failed  through  ignorance,  and  ruined  his  country 
through  mistake.  Facts  are  decisively  against  him,  and 
the  historian  who  describes  them  will  find,  that  he  misun- 
derstood the  law  of  nations,  and  that  for  temporary  pur- 
poses, and  limited  objects,  he  violated  the  great  principles 
of  society,  and  attempted  to  produce  results  which  histor- 
ical reasoning,  the  nature  of  man,  and  the  voice  of  religion, 
forbad  him  to  expect.  There  is  no  political  associate  of 
that  mistaken  minister,  possessing  any  independent  quali- 
ties of  mind,  who,  if  he  now  dispassionately  reconsider  the 
affairs  of  the  last  twenty  years,  but  will  be  forced  to  avow 
his  own  delusion,  and  acknowledge  that  the  irreparable 
mischiefs  of  a  pernicious  and  obstinately- pursued  system, 
more  congenial  to  vulgar  prejudices,  than  agreeable  to 
grand  state  maxims,  have  brought  on  a  change  of  poli- 
tical relations,  on  the  continent,  directly  militating  against 
the  pretensions  of  Great  Britain  to  rank  a§  a  primary 
nation. 


^k^ 


26 

The  passions  of  the  vulgar  made  and  kept  Mr.  Pitt 
minister  J  but  the  vulgar  themselves  are  daily  receiving 
convincing  proofs  how  little  value  they  have  got  for  their 
money,  and  that  they  are  likely  to  obtain  still  less  for  the 
little  which  has  been  left  to  them.  The  factitious  honours 
of  that  dangerous  elevation  of  man,  called  PLACE-i-gene- 
rated  a  forced  applause  of  that  minister,  after  the  death  of 
Mr.  Fox,  which  was  to  me  extremely  disgusting.  There 
could  be  no  approximation  between  the  characters  of  a  ge- 
nuine and  benevolent  statesman,  and  an  arrogant  and  un- 
fortunate minister,  whose  boasted  merit  any  ingenious 
banker,  or  skilful  accomptant,  might  easily  have  rivalled. 
It  would  have  been  better,  "much  better,  to  have  told  the 
abused  people  of  England  the  extent  of  their  misfortunes, 
and  to  have  denounced  the  guilty  author  of  them.  The 
incense  paid  to  the  manes  of  Mr.  Pitt  derogate  from  the 
value  of  Mr:  Fox;  and,  for  my  part,  I  cannot  admire  the 
comparative  approbation  offered  by  the  latter's  colleagues 
in  office,  or  by  that  celebrated  poet,  whose  charming  lays 
ravish  our  applause  in  modern  times,  but  whom  the  various 
accomplishments,  as  a  scholar,  a  genius,  an  excellent  critic 
in  poetry,  of  Charles  James  Fox,  should  long  ago  have  con- 
verted, and  thus  have  prevented  him  from  committing  the 
absurdity  of  placing  in  the  same  temple  pictures  so  grossly 
ill-matched,  or  of  arranging  in  a  cabinet  a  jewel  of  inesti- 
mable value,  beside  the  glaring,  but  light  and  perishable 
(lomposition  which  assumed  its  semblance. 

When  I  first  had  the  happiness  of  knowing  Mr.  Fox, 
he  had  retired,  in  a  great  measure,  from  public  life,  and 
was  inclining  towards  the  evening  of  his  days.  A  serene 
and  cloudless  magnanimity,  respecting  the  pursuit  of 
power,  raised  him  to  an  enviable  felicity.  His  habits 
were  .very  domestic,  and  his  taste  for  literature  peculiarly 
strong,  as  well  as  peculiarly  elegant.  His  love  for  a 
country  life,  and  all  its  simple  and  never-fatiguing  charms, 
was  great.  His  temper  disposed  him  to  enjoy,  and  never 
to  repine.      Had  his  great  powers  been  employed  for  the 


29 

benefit  of  mankind,  in  literary  composition,  and  researches 
after  knowledge,  instead  of  exhausting  them  in  useless  de- 
bates, when  the  issue  of  the  contest  was  always  anticipated, 
and  when  prejudice  and  interest  gave  to  a  declaiming  min- 
ister a  superiority,  which  reason,  poured  forth  with  all  the 
energy  and  variety  of  a  Demosthenes,  could  never  obtain, 
the  world,  and  Europe  in  particular,  would  have  reaped 
advantages  which  his  country  blindly  rejected ;  and  that 
great  mind,  which  made  little  impression  upon  a  disci- 
plined oligarchical  senate,  would  -more  efficaciously  have 
operated  upon  the  philosophers,  the  statesmen,  and  the 
patriots  of  Europe. 

At  a  time  of  life  when  other  men  become  more  devoted 
to  the  pursuits  of  ambition,  or  to  that  mean  and  universal 
passion,  avarice;  and  when  their  characters  accordingly 
become  rigid,  and  unproductive  of  new  sentiments, 
Mr.  Fox  had  all  the  sensibility  and  freshness  of  youth, 
with  the  energetic  glow  of  manhood  in  its  prime.  Know- 
ledge of  the  world  had  not  at  all  hardened  or  disgusted 
him.  He  knew  men,  and  he  pitied  rather  than  condemned 
them.  It  was  singular  to  behold  such  a  character  in  Eng- 
land, whose  national  characteristic  is  rather  philosophic 
reasoning  than  the  sensibility  of  genius.  When  I  first 
beheld  St.  Anne's  Hill,  the  impression  was  the  most 
agreeable  I  had  ever  received.  Every  thing  recalled  to 
my  mind  the  stories  of  Greece  and  Rome.  I  saw  a  man  of 
a  noble  family,  eminent  for  his  genius  and  talents — an  orator 
of  unrivrlled  powers— -the  friend  of  liberty, — the  encour- 
ager  of  the  fine  arts — the  classical  scholar — I^aw  him  re- 
tired to  the  lovely  rural  spot  he  had  chosen,  and  said 
within  me,  "  This  is  a  character  of  antiquity ;  here  is 
genuine  greatness."  I  entered  his  modest  mansion,  and 
found  the  picture  of  a  youthful  mind  realized. 

St.  Anne's  Hill  is  delightfully  situated;  it  commands  a 
rich  and  extensive  prospect,  the  house  is  embowered  in 
trees,  resting  on  the  side  of  a  hill :  its  grounds  decline 
gracefully  to  a  road  which  bounds  them  at  bottom-.    Some 


9^ 

iine  trees  are  grouped  round  the  house,  and  three  remark- 
ably beautiful  ones  stand  in  the  lawn ;  while  a  profusion  of 
shrubs  are  throughout  distributed  with  taste  and  judgment. 
Here  Mr.  Fox  was  the  tranquil  and  happy  possessor  of 
about  thirty  acres  of  land,  and  the  inmate  of  a  small  but 
pleasant  mansion.  The  simplicity  and  benignity  of  his 
manners,  speaking  the  integrity  and  grandeur  of  his  char- 
acter, soon  dispelled  those  feelings  of  awe  which  one  na- 
turally experiences  on  approaching  what  is  very  exalted. 

I  speak  of  the  year  1798,  when  coercion  was  the  syste- 
matic means  of  compressing  the  public  mind;  but  it  is 
believed,  by  many,  to  have  been  an  artful  mode  of  strength- 
ening ministerial  power,  by  that  goading  kind  of  vigour, 
which  drives  men  to  warmth  and  violence,  in  the  expressing 
their  feelings  in  favour  of  the  constitution  and  law.  The  vin- 
dication of  that  system  stands  to  this  day  wholly  upon  asser- 
tion. The  unhappy  country  to  which  I  have  the  honour  and 
misfortune  to  belong,  was  then  suffering  under  this  reign  of 
terror.  An  enthusiastic  party  aimed  at  a  visionary  republic. 
The  example  of  republican  France  had  heated  their  imagi- 
nations, and  led  their  understandings  astray.  A  wise 
statesman,  by  proper  concession  to  all,  and  a  just  restora- 
tion of  rights  to  catholics,  might  have  disarmed  the  nascent 
conspiracy,  and  arrayed  Ireland,  far  more  powerfully  than 
in  1782,  in  favour  of  Great  Britain  ;  but  the  same  narrow- 
ness of  mind,  and  poverty  of  genius,  which  coerced  at 
home,  under  the  joint  ministry  of  lord  Grenville  and  Mr. 
Pitt,  tyrannized  in  Ireland,  under  the  direction  of  unprin- 
cipled men,  in  whose  eyes  a  nation's  happiness  was  trifling 
compared  with  the  gratification  of  their  subordinate  am- 
bition. Having  at  this  period  formed  no  very  decided 
opinions  on  politics,  and  in  particular  upon  Irish  affairs,  I 
approached  the  great  statesman,  who,  in  retirement,  mourn- 
ed over  the  growing  miseries  he  clearly  foresaw,  but  could 
not  prevent,  with  sentiments  of  admiration  and  respect, 
which  progressively  increased  till  that  melancholy  hour 
when,  several  years  afterwards,  I  saw  him  breathe  his 
.:ast. 


31 


When  I  first  visited  St.  Anne's  Hill,  the  summer  was 
yet  young,  and  all  the  freshness  of  nature  was  upon  that 
beautiful  spot :  its  sloping  glades  were  un parched  by  au- 
tumnal suns— the  flowers  and  shrubs  were  redolent  with 
sweets,  and  the  full  choir  of  birds,  which  burst  from  every 
tree  and  shady  recess,  filled  the  heart  with  gladness,  and 
with  that  reviving  sentiment  of  pleasure,  which  is  felt  by 
minds  of  sensibility  at  that  period.  The  rich  expanse  of 
cultivated  country;  the  meadows,  corn,  woods,  and  villa- 
ges, till  the  sight  caught  the  far  distant  smoke  of  Londonj 
the  graceful  Thames,  winding  below  the  hill,  which  was  the 
interesting  residence  of  England's  greatest  character,  gave 
a  magical,  but  not  delusive  effect  to  all  I  saw.  This  pic- 
ture of  serenity  and  rural  happiness,  when  the  rash  and 
imperious  counsels  of  the  English  cabinet  were  everywhere 
producing  discord,  and  laying  the  foundation  of  French 
aggrandizement,  was  sufficiently  striking  to  impress  the 
imagination  in  a  most  powerful  manner;  and  the  long 
series  of  calamities  which  followed — blood,  devastation  and 
torture  in  Ireland ; — suspension  of  constitution  in  Eng- 
land ; — overthrow  of  ancient  continental  kingdoms, — and 
the  continually  and  fearfully  augmenting  power  of  regene- 
rated France,  subsequently  gave  to  the  feelings  of  that 
moment  a  prophetic  stamp,  which  has  been  confirmed  to  a 
degree  that  i3  astonishing,  even  to  those  who,  in  the  com- 
mencement of  his  crusade,  dreaded  the  effects,  and  foretold 
many  of  the  consequences,  of  Mr.  Pitt's  measures. 

This  period  of  retirement,  abstracting  the  anguish  he 
must  have  felt  for  the  miseries  of  the  world,  was,  I  am 
satisfied,  the  happiest  period  of  Mr.  Fox's  life.  Assuredly 
the  only  proper  part  for  a  truly  great  man,  if  he  cannot 
advantageously  influence  the  councils  of  his  country,  is  in 
complete  retirement  to  devote  himself  to  the  cultivation  of 
his  mental  powers,  and  to  wait  for  that  sentiment  of  con- 
victioa  arising  in  the  people,  which  ultimately,  under  a 
free  constitution,  becomes  irresistible.  It  was  upon  this 
principle  Mr.  Fox  acted,  and  would,  I  am  persuaded,  have 


32 

continued  to  act,  had  not  the  powerful  ties  of  friendship j 
which  bound  his  susceptible  heart,  drawn  him  again  into 
the  fatal  vortex  of  politics.  In  what  degree  it  is  to  be  re- 
gretted, that  this  inestimable  man  should  ultimately,  by 
his  return  to  parliamentary  warfare,  and  final  accession  to 
power,  along  with  lord  Grenville,  have  injured  his  health, 
and  somewhat  diminished  the  lustre  of  his  reputation,  the 
future  historian  will  mark  with  care — his  friends  with  deep 
but  fruitless  sorrow, — and  the  public,  through  a  long 
course  of  calamity  opening  before  them, — will  hereafter 
unavailingly  acknowledge! 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  domestic  life  of  Mr.  Fox  was  equally  regular 
and  agreeable.  In  summer  he  rose  between  six  and  seven : 
in  winter  before  eight.  The  assiduous  care,  and  excellent 
management,  of  Mrs.  Fox,  rendered  his  rural  mansion  the 
abode  of  peace,  elegance,  and  order,  and  had  long  procured 
her  the  gratitude  and  esteem  of  those  private  friends, 
whose  visits  to  Mr.  Fox,  in  his  retirement  at  St.  Anne's- 
Hill,  made  them  witnesses  of  this  amiable  woman's  ex- 
emplary and  endearing  conduct.  I  confess  I  carried  with 
me  some  of  the  vulgar  prejudices  respecting  this  great  man. 
How  completely  was  I  undeceived  !  After  breakfast,  which 
took  place  between  eight  and  nine  in  summer,  and  at  a 
little  after  nine  in  winter,  he  usually  read  some  Italian 
author  with  Mrs^  Fox,  and  then  spent  the  time  preceding 
dinner  at  his  literary  studies,  in  which  the  Greek  poets 
bore  a  principal  part. 

A  frugal,  but  plentiful  dinner  took  place  at  three,  or 
half  past  two,  in  summer,  and  at  four  in  winter ;  and  a  few 
glasses  of  wine  were  followed  by  coffee.  The  evening  was 
dedicated  to  walking  and  conversation  till  tea  time,  when 
reading  aloud,  in  history,  commenced,  and  continued  till 
near  ten.  A  light  supper  of  fruit,  pastry,  or  something 
very  trifling,  finished  the  day ;  and  at  half  past  ten  the 
family  were  gone  to  rest;  and  the  next,  and  succeeding 
dawn  ushered  in  the  same  order  and  elegance,  and  found 


34 

the  same  content,  the  same  happiness,  and  the  same  virtu- 
ous and  useful  life. 

"A  life  so  sacred,  such  serene  repose 
Seemed  Heaven  itself." 

Alas,  those  scenes  are  forever  closed;  that  heart  which 
throbbed  with  every  fine  feeling  is  cold  ;*— those  private 
virtues  which  made  St.  Anne's  Hill  so  delightful,  those 
public  ones,  which  might  have  benefited  mankind,  are  lost. 
It  is  with  pain  and  reluctance  I  go  on ;  but  the  dictates  of 
friendship  and  truth  ought  to  be  obeyed.   One  small  record, 
unmixed  with,  and  uncontrolled  by,  party  motives,  shall 
afford  to  posterity,  if  it  survive,  some  means,  though  im- 
perfect, of  appreciating  the  private  character  of  the  most 
illustrious,  but  often  the  most  calumniated,  of  public  mea 
in  the  eighteenth  century.       No  monument  yet  marks  a 
nation^ s  gratitude  towards  him;  and  the  all-prevailing  as- 
cendency of  the    system  which    lord    Bute,  lord  North, 
and  Mr.  William  Pitt,  successively  defended  and  propaga- 
ted, has  stifled  every  parliamentary  expression  of  respect 
and  veneration  for  the  memory  of  Charles  James  Fox  ; 
whilst  a  successful  skirmish,  or  a  dubious  battle,  unites  all 
parties  in  conferring  honours  and  rewards  !     Nor  do  I  think 
it  is  one  moment  to  be  admitted,  that  so  unfortunate  a  po- 
litician, as  his  parliamentary  rival,  could  have  been  Mr» 
Fox's  coadjutor  in  office ',  their  principles  were  diametri- 
cally opposite  :  the  one  w^as  a  practical  lover  of  arbitrary 
power,  and  in  his  own  person  exercised  it  too  long  for  the 
glory  of  his  sovereign,  or  the  happiness  of  his  people  :  the 
other  was  a  sincere  friend  to  a  limited  monarchy,  which  is 
the  only  species  of  government  recognized  by  the  British 
constitution  ;  was  a  benevolent  statesman  of  the  first  order, 
and  an  undaunted  advocate  for  liberty,  whether  civil  rights, 
or  freedom  of  conscience   were    concerned.       Ministries 
formed  of  repupjnant  and  conflicting  materials  cannot  be 
permanent  or  efficient.     Every  department  ought  to  be  fil- 
led by  men  of  whom  the  statesman,  who  undertakes  to 


35 

conduct  the  affairs  of  a  nation  has  the  selection,  and  ou 
whose  principles,  as  well  as  talents,  he  can  rely.  The 
disorder  which  otherwise  takes  place  from  the  counter* 
action  of  the  inferior  servants  of  government  is  of  the 
worst  kind,  paralysing  every  grand  measure  of  the  head 
of  the  ministry,  and  even  controlling  his  intentions. 

The  great  genius  of  Mr.  Fox,  to  have  been  efficient, 
should  have  reigned  supreme  in  the  management  of  pub- 
lic affairs.  Mr.  Pitt,  under  the  wholesome  restraints, 
and  instructed  of  the  enlightened  mind,  of  that  great  man, 
might  have  conducted  a  subordinate  department  with  bene- 
fit to  his  country ;  but  as  to  co-operation  with  him,  on  any 
system  of  co-ordinate  power,  the  plan  must  have  been  de- 
trimental to  the  public  service,  as  long  as  it  was  atte  mpt- 
ed,  and  certainly  would  have  been  degrading  to  Mr.  Fox. 
The  more  I  have  considered,  the  more  am  I  persuaded, 
that  his  own  conception  of  retirement  was  the  true  rule  of 
conduct  to  follow  ;  and  being  one  of  the  most  disinterested 
of  men,  and  having  no  impatience  to  attain  power,  it  would 
have  been  as  easy  as  wise  in  him  to  have  adhered  to  it. 

At  the  period  to  which  I  allude,  he  was  beginning  to 
turn  his  attention  to  an  historical  work,  and  our  readings 
after  tea  were  directed  to  the  furtherance  of  this  grand  and 
useful  object.  Happy  were  those  evenings,  when  the  in- 
struction of  the  historian — the  pointed  remarks  of  the 
statesman — and  all  the  ease  and  happiness  of  domestic 
society  were  united.  The  occasional  visits  of  men  of  tal- 
ent and  high  character  sometimes  pleasingly  interrupted 
the  evening's  employment ;  but  I  have  never  seen  Mr.  Fox 
more  perfectly  happy  than  when  we  were  quite  alone.  He 
was  so  utterly  divested  of  a  wish  to  shine,  or  of  any  appetite. 
for  flattery,  that  he  in  no  manner  required,  what  is  called, 
company,  to  enliven  or  animate  him.  A  lover  of  nature, 
and  consequently  an  enemy  to  art,  he  held,  I  think,  above 
every  quality,  sincerity  and  unaffectedness  ;  and,  being  also 
of  a  character  singularly  domestic  and  amiable,  he  found 


36 


in  his  little  circle  all  he  wished  and  wanted.  To  his 
other  attainments  he  had  added  very  considerable  know- 
ledge in  Botany ;  and  without  making  it  a  primary  object, 
enjoyed  every  pursuit  connected  with  agriculture,  in  a 
high  degree. 

About  the  end  of  the  year  1799,  Mr.  Fox  met  with 
an  accident  of  a  most  alarming  nature.  He  was  very 
fond  of  shooting,  and  as  he  was  following  that  amuse- 
ment one  day  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Cbertsey,  in  com- 
pany with  Mr.  William  Porter,  of  that  town,  his  gun 
burst  in  his  hand.  The  explosion  having  shattered  it 
much,  he  wrapped  it  up,  and  returned  to  St.  Anne's.  As 
no  surgeon  in  the  country  would  undertake  so  delicate  a 
charge  upon  his  own  responsibility,  Mr  Fox  was  advised 
to  go  instantly  to  town.  An  hasty  dinner  was  provided, 
the  chaise  ordered,  and,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Fox,  he 
very  shortly  set  out  for  London.  Mr.  Porter  told  me 
that  he  manifested  no  impatience  or  apprehension,  though 
the  anguish  he  suffered  must  have  been  excessive ;  all  the 
anxiety  he  testified  was  lest  Mrs.  Fox  should  be  agitated 
and  alarmed.  On  his  way  to  town  he  composed  the 
following  verses,  which  display  a  tenderness  of  dbposi- 
tion,  and  an  exquisiteness  of  feeling,  rarely  met  with  (un- 
happily for  the  world)  in  those  statesmen  who  rule  man^ 

kind. 

I 

**  How  can  l  at  aught  repine. 

While  my  dearest  Liz  is  mine  ? 

Can  1  feel  or  pain  or  woe. 

While  my  Lizzy  loves  me  so  ? 

Where's  the  sorrOAv,  that  thy  smile 

Knows  not  sweetly  to  beguile  ? 

Sense  of  pain,  and  danger  flies 

From  the  looks  of  those  dear  eyes; 

Looks  of  kindness,  looks  of  love, 

That  lift  my  mortal  thoughts  above. 

While  1  view  that  heavenly  face, 

While  I  feel  that  dear  embrace. 

While  1  hear  tliat  soothing  voice, 

Tho'  maimed  or  crippled,  life's  my  choice  3 


37 

Without  them,  all  the  fates  can  give 
Has  nought  would  make  me  wish  to  live  i 
No,  could  (hey  foil  the  power  of  time. 
And  restore  youth's  boasted  prime, 
Add  to  hoot,  fame,  power,  and  wealth, 
Undisturb'd  and  certain  health, 
Without  thee,  'twou'd  nought  avail. 
The  source  of  every  joy  would  fail ; 
But  lov'd  by  thee,  by  thee  caress'd. 
In  pain  and  sickness  1  am  blest.'* 

Though  many  estimable,  and  subsequently  very  eleva- 
ted characters,  visited  at  St.  Anne's  Hill,  I  never  liked  it 
so  well,  as  when  we  were  quite  alone.  There  was  a  per- 
fect originality  of  character  in  Mr.  Fox,  that  made  his 
society  always  new,  and  always  preferable  to  that  of  most 
other  men.  Professional  cant,  and  party  ideas  in  general, 
give  a  monotony  to  the  minds  of  distinguished  members 
of  society.  Accustomed  co  view  things  constantly  in  one 
way,  and  not  seeking  for  new  ideas,  but  rather  occupied 
in  advancing  or  defending  their  old  ones,  their  conversation 
does  not  create  new  sensations,  and  frequently  wearies  rather 
than  delights.  Mr.  Fox  himself  was  so  little  obtrusive  in 
this  respect,  that  I  recollect  feeling  a  good  deal  of  embar- 
rassment at  first,  on  observing  how  frequently  he  was  in- 
clined to  silence,  waiting  for  others  to  begin  a  conversation. 
I  soon  discovered,  however,  that  he  was  pleased  at  its 
originating  with  another ;  and,  so  great  was  his  benevolence, 
as  well  as  unbounded  his  capacity,  that  whatever  was 
started,  in  the  smallest  degree  interesting,  useful,  or 
natural,  received  illustration  and  indulgent  investigation 
from  him.      How  well  do  I  recollect  the  mornings  when 

he  came  down  to  breakfast — how  benignant  and  cheerful ^ 

how  pleased  with  every  thing — how  free  from  worldly 
passions,  and  worldly  views  he  was  !  Nor  were  Mrs.  Fox's 
captivating  manners  conducive  in  a  faint  manner  to  the 
harmonizing  of  every  thing  around  :  the  watchful  and  re- 
fined  attention  she  paid  to  her  guests  anticipated  every 
thing  they  could  desire,  and  charmed  away  every  feeling  of 


38 

embarrassment,  which  diffidence,  in  the  presence  of  a  very 
gteat  man,  might  be  apt  to  occasion. 

At  breakfast,  the  newspaper  was  read,  commonly  by- 
Mr.  Fox ;  as  well  as  the  letters  which  had  arrived,  for 
such  was  the  noble  confidence  of  his  mind,  that  he  con- 
cealed nothing  from  his  domestic  circle,  unless  it  were  the 
faults,  or  the  secrets  of  his  friends.  At  such  times,  when 
the  political  topics  of  the  day  were  naturally  introduced 
by  the  paper,  I  never  could  observe  the  least  acrimony  or 
anger  against  that  party  which  so  sedulously,  and  indeed 
successfully,  had  laboured  to  exclude  him  from  the  man* 
agement  of  affairs,  by  misrepresentations  of  his  motives, 
rather  than  by  refutations  of  his  arguments. 

In  private  conversation,   I  think,  he  was  rather  averse 
to  political  discussion,  generally  preferring  subjects  con- 
nected with   natural  history,   in  any  of  its  branches ;    but, 
above  all,  dwelling  with  delight  on  classical  and  poetical 
subjects.      It  is  not  to  be  supposed,  however,  that,  where 
the  interests  and  happiness  of  millions  were  concerned,  he 
preserved  a  cold  silence.      He  rather  abstained  from  hope- 
less and   useless  complaining,   than   withheld  his  mite  of 
compassion  and  sympathy  for  those  who  suffered  under  a 
pernicious  system.      As  my  acquaintance  commenced  with 
Mr.  Fox  towards  the  evening  of  his  days,  and  at  the  pe- 
riod when  a  rebellion  in  Ireland  was  followed,  by  what  has 
been  fallaciously  styled,  a  union,  I  had  the  opportunity  of 
observing  his  great  humanity,  and  his  freedom  from  pre- 
judice, in  regard  to  that  country.      In  this  respect  he  ever 
seemed  to  me  to  stand  alone,   among    English  politicians, 
many  of  whom  are  liberal  enough  in  their  own  way,  but 
all  of  whom  agree  in  a  love  of  dominion,  and  in  a  certain 
degree  of  contempt  respecting  the  Irish,  which,  one  day  or 
other,  will,  I  fear,  generate   events  fatal  to  the  repose  of 
both   islands.      There    is  no   nation  in   Europe,  perhaps, 
more  contracted  in  their  way  of  thinking,  or  less  fit  to  es- 
tablish a  conciliating  government,  than  the  English.     Had 


39 

the  benevolent  and  enlarged  mind  of  Mr.  Fox  directed 
their  councils,  during  the  twenty  years  preceding  hi$ 
death,  this  narrow  system  would  not  have  prevailed,  but 
Ireland  might  have  been  really  united,  by  the  firm  bonds 
of  gratitude  and  interest,  to  Great  Britain.  The  state  of 
things  arising  in  Europe,  required  the  most  enlightened 
and  improved  policy  in  English  statesmen.  The  coercive 
energy  of  the  new  military  government  in  France  was 
alone  to  be  counterpoised,  and  met,  on  the  part  of  these 
islands,  by  a  still  more  vigorous  spirit,  produced  by  the 
conscious  possession  of  equal  rights,  and  a  renovated 
constitution. 

To  enter  the  lists  with  the  great  military  chieftain  of 
the  French,  without  similarity  of  means  or  situation,  has 
proved  a  want  of  knowledge  of  England's  true  strength, 
and  rather  the  blindness  of  envy,  than  the  foresight  of  wis- 
dom. Mr.  Pitt  treated  Ireland  like  a  conquered  country, 
and  chose  to  build  upon  the  hollow  submission  of  slaves, 
rather  than  strengthen  himself  by  the  support  of  free  men» 
I  can  truly  testify,  that  in  the  shocking  times  of  1798, 
and,  during  the  degrading  scene  which  crowned  them,  Mr. 
Fox  yearned  over  Irish  misfortunes  with  a  truly  paternal 
heart.. 

A  peculiar  attribute  of  his  character  was,  an  inclination 
to  encourage  and  raise  up  neglected  merit,  and  to  pour 
balm  into  the  wounds  of  misery.  What  a  quality  would 
this  have  been  in  an  English  statesman,  in  operating  for 
the  benefit  and  redemption  of  Ireland  ?  I  distinctly  recol- 
lect the  horror  excited  in  him,  on  hearing  of  the  burning 
of  cottages  and  their  furniture,  by  the  military — the  pain 
he  felt  on  reading  the  accounts  of  the  actions  between  the 
insurgents  and  the  army. — How  well  I  remember  the  valu- 
able cautions  he  gave  me,  when  the  acuteness  of  my  feel- 
ings for  a  suffering  country,  prompted  hasty  and  moment- 
ary expressions  of  anguish.  His  opinion,  which  is  given 
i"n  one  ©f  the  letters  annexed  to  this  volume,  when  the  unioib 


4.0 

was  agitated  in  Ireland,  will  be  found  solid  and  important ; 
I  do  not  take  upon  me  to  assert,  that  it  went  so  far  as  to 
imply  the  re-admission  of  catholics  to  the  parliament  of 
their  country,  but  I  believe  it  must  be  taken  to  have  gone 
that  length,  because,  reform  in  Ireland,  without  relieving 
the  great  majority,  and  fully  admitting  them  to  participa- 
tion of  civil  rights,  must  be  deemed  illusive  and  partial, 
and,  consequently,  uncongenial  to  such  a  mind  as  that  of 
Mr.  Fox.  The  grand  principle  he  relied  on  in  this  case, 
namely,  that  the  aristocracy,  without  the  support  of  the 
people,  are  nothing,  has  been,  since  his  lamented  death, 
strongly  elucidated  and  demonstrated  in  England,  as  it 
was  also  in  Ireland  at  the  period  of  the  union.  Nor  is  it 
a  less  important  truth,  that  the  people,  separated  from  the 
aristocracy,  (or  to  make  it  clearer)  from  all  those  characters 
whom  genius,  education,  and  cultivation  of  mind,  have 
elevated,  must  be  feeble,  or  at  best,  hurried  on  by  impotent 
violence,  and  that  both  parties  must  ultimately  fall  und^ 
too  great  acontroul  of  the  crown. 

In  turning  with  my  reader  to  foreign  scenes,  these 
truths  will  be  further  developed,but  in  general  I  shall  prefer  a 
simple  exposition  of  facts,  to  drawing  conclusions,  or  pro- 
nouncing opinions ;  and  I  must  intreat  my  readers  to  con- 
sider me  as  not  presuming  to  advance  ideas  and  sentiments 
of  my  own  as  those  of  Mr.  Fox,  In  the  latter  case  I  shall 
always  specify  what  was  his ;  in  the  former,  I  shall  use  the 
right  of  an  independent  mind  to  exercise  its  own  powers, 
taking  on  myself  all  responsibility  and  blame,  where  either 
may  be  incurred. 

The  peace,  or  rather  the  truce  of  Amiens,  in  1802,  very 
naturally  excited  in  Mr.  Fox  a  desire  to  visit  the  conti 
nent.  His  historical  work  had  advanced  a  good  way, 
but  as  he  approached  the  reign  of  James  the  2nd.  he  felt 
a  want  of  materials,  which  he  understood  could  alone  be 
supplied  in  Paris,  and  he  determined  to  go  there.  That 
work  has  since  appeared,  and  the  public  have  formed  their 


41 

opinion  upon  it.  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  that  it  would 
have  been  desirable  that  he  had  gone  further  back,  or  cho- 
sen a  larger  period,  and  one  unconnected  even  by  analogy 
with  modern  politics.  An  involuntary  association  of  ideas 
and  feelings,  tending  to  form  a  comparative  view  of  epochs 
and  circumstances,  may  have  had  an  influence,  unsus- 
pected by  the  author,  and  have  led  to  his  dwelling,  as  it 
has  appeared  to  some,  with  prolixity  upon  peculiar  pas- 
sages in  the  unhappy  reigns  of  Charles  and  James. 

The  goodness  of  his  heart,  and  the  grandeur  of  his  mind 
—the  just  medium  of  his  opinions  between  the  crown  and 
democracy,  and  his  warm  love  of  true  and  rational  liberty, 
are,  however,  indelibly  recorded  in  a  work,  which  per- 
haps came  out  too  soon  after  his  death  to  be  justly  appre- 
ciated ;  and  as  it  promoted  the  views  of  none  of  the  par- 
ties of  the  day,  it  is  rather  to  be  considered  a  classic, 
whose  wholesome  tendency,  and  purity  of  principle,  will 
benefit  posterity,  than  amend  the  present  generation. 

I  was  wandering  among  the  beauties  of  North  Wales, 
when  a  letter  from  Mr.  Fox  reached  me,  stating  his  inten- 
tion of  going  to  France,  in  furtherance  of  this  historical 
work,  and  adding,  that  I  could  be  of  use  in  copying  for 
him  in  Paris.  The  sublime  scenery  of  the  interior  of 
North  Wales,  the  peaceful  mansions  of  a  contented  and 
happy  people,  the  innumerable  beauties  of  nature,  stamped 
by  the  hand  of  a  divine  Creator,  and  scattered  profusely 
around  me,  had  harmonized  my  mind,  and  prepared  it  for 
reflection  and  observation.  The  friendly  eye  which  had 
penetrated  these  recesses,  and  the  hand  which  had  bec- 
koned me  to  leave  these  calm  and  rural  haunts,  to  behold 
a  new  and  brilliant  order  of  things  in  the  powerful  king- 
dom of  France,  were  recognised  by  me  as  heralds  of  friend- 
ship and  beneficence  ;  but  his  active  benevolence  manifest- 
ed on  this  occasion  filled  me  with  grateful  surprise. 

Reader  f  such  a  character  was  Mr.  Fox !  To  raise  up 
:the  neglected,  jy\d  to  aid  those  whom  scanty  means  might 


if^ 


keep  pining  at  home,  or  languishing  in  obscurity,  was  his 
bright  characteristic.  The  practical  homage  paid  to  the 
deity  by  this  great  and  christian  character,  was  to  cheer 
the  afflicted,  and  elevate  the  oppressed. 

gtill  I  left  Wales  with  regret,  for  I  had  experienced 
that  happiness  is  not  to  be  found  in  crowds,  and  that  the 
glare  of  grandeur  dazzles,  but  neither  warms  nor  enlivens* 
Sincerity  is  an  humble  flower,  which  rarely  flourishes  near 
it,  and  without  that  I  had  learnt  to  prefer  retirement  to  all 
the  bustle  and  pomp  of  courts. 

To  visit  the  brilliant  scenes  opening  before  me  in  the 
society  of  such  an  exalted,  (because  benevolent  and  hu- 
mane) as  well  as  so  great  a  man,  as  Mr.  Fox,  afforded, 
however,  a  very  animating  prospect.  Hesitation  would 
have  been  folly ;  and  I  hastened,  (after  crossing  the  chan- 
nel to  Ireland  for  a  short  time)  to  join  the  beloved  inhabi- 
tants of  St.  Anne's  Hill,  and  to  offer  there  my  gratitude 
and  duty  for  this  new  act  of  unremitting  friendship.  At 
this  moment,  though  all  is  cheerful  and  lovely  around  me, 
in  my  native  and  honoured  country,  and  although  I  feel 
no  want  of  what  renders  life  comfortable,  to  those  who 
can  be  happy  amidst  the  never-fading  delights  of  nature, 
and  the  simple  but  solid  enjoyments  which  retirement  and, 
the  country  yield,  yet  I  recur  with  pain  to  those  times, 
when  St.  Anne's  Hill  possessed  its  illustrious  master, 
and  the  remembrance  of  them  saddens  all  the  charming 
scenes  around  me. 

When  I  arrived  at  St.  Anne's  Hill,  I  found  the  family 
nearly  ready  for  the  journey.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox,  Mr. 
(now  lord)  St.  John,  and  myself,  formed  the  travelling 
party;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  29th  of  July,  1802,  we 
set  out  in  a  travelling  coach  for  France. 

The  delightful  country,  through  which  we  passed,  was 
in  ^YC'dt  beauty,  and  England,  which,  under  its  govern- 


43 


ment  well  administered^  had  been  truly  the  bulwark  of 
liberty,  and  the  asylum  of  the  unfortunate,  seemed  to  me 
never  more  deserving  the  appellation  of  the  garden  of  the 
world.  We  passed  through  a  great  part  of  that  most 
favoured  portion  of  it,  Kent,  and  rested  one  night  at  lord 
Thanet's.  Every  thing  that  politeness  and  hospitality 
could  prepare  awaited  us  at  this  superb  mansion.  To  me, 
however,  there  is  always  something  triate  in  the  large  do- 
mains and  palaces  of  great  men  in  the  country ;  there  is  a 
void,  a  want  of  happy  and  independent  human  beings, 
which  deprives  the  most  beautiful  and  sublime  scenery  of 
its  charm,  and  the  solitude  created,  being  very  different 
from  that  where  all  is  free  and  unbounded,  as  on  moun- 
tains, in  glens,  or  valleys,  or  on  the  sea- shore,  produces 
langour,  and  gives  an  idea  of  confinement  and  inaction, 
instead  of  that  repose  of  nature,  so  grateful  to  contempla- 
tive minds.  Passing,  on  the  following  morning,  the  de- 
lightful aspect  of  Kent,  so  verdant,  and  adorned  with  neat 
and  excellent  enclosures,  with  its  varying  grounds  of  unri- 
valled beauty,  and  its  hop  plantations,  emulating  the  ap- 
pearance of  vineyards,  enchanted  us  all.  The  view  above 
Hythe  struck  Mr.  Fox  particularly,  and  with  great  reason, 
for  seldom  does  one  behold  a  more  fascinating  picture 
than  it  presents.  It  made  so  strong  an  impression  on 
him,  that  from  France  he  afterwards  wrote  to  a  friend 
following  him,  to  call  his  attention  to  the  scene,  which 
had  so  much  delighted  him. 

On  our  arrival  at  Dover,  crowds  were  assembled  to 
behold  the  celebrated  person,  whose  oratory  and  political 
exertions  had  so  long  and  so  powerfully  been  exercised, 
in  favour  of  a  misguided  people.  They  followed  him  to 
the  shore,  and  testified  a  strong  interest  respecting  him  till 
the  moment  of  his  embarkation.  The  gale  was  pleasant 
and  favourable,  and  the  white  cliffs  of  Dover,  and  the 
sandy  beach  and  banks  of  the  coast  of  France,  v/ere  visi- 
ble at  the  same  time.  Mr.  Fox  enjoyed  the  scene  much. 
I  had,  indeed,  observed   from  our  leaving  St.  Anne's,  a 


44 


freshness  and  juvenility  in  his  mind,  which  had  raised  him 
still  higher  in  my  opinion.  He  might  have  been  taken  for 
a  person  newly  entering  into  the  scenes  of  life,  so  cheerful, 
so  pleased,  and  so  very  much  alive  to  the  most  minute 
objects  in  nature  as  he  was.  At  times,  however,  the 
grandeur  and  extent  of  his  genius  shewed  itself.  There 
was  perfect  dignity,  too,  in  his  manner,  united  to  the 
greatest  simplicity.  During  our  whole  subsequent  tour, 
he  preserved  this  kind  of  demeanor  and  manners— add  to 
which  a  solicitude  that  every  one  with  him  should  be  hap- 
py, should  enjoy,  and  not  lose  any  thing  interesting,  beau-^ 
tiful,  or  curious. 


CHAPTER  111. 


AS  the  packet  passed  through  the  glittering  wavefi 
with  a  brisk  and  easy  motion,  my  mind  was  suspended  as 
it  were  between  various  sensations  and  ideas.  We  had 
left  the  proud  coast  of  Albion  to  visit  the  regenerated 
kingdom  of  France.  The  long  enjoyed  power  of  the 
Bourbons  had  vanished  before  the  irresistible  course  of 
events.  We  were  about  to  exchange  our  imaginations 
and  opinions  for  certain  ideas;  we  were  to  judge  for  our- 
selves ;  and,  disencumbering  our  minds  of  the  false  im- 
pression unavoidably  made  on  those  distant  from  the  thea- 
tre of  a  great  revolution,  we  were  to  be  enabled  to  form  a 
just  opinion  of  effects,  and  to  examine  and  analyse  causes, 
in  the  political  or  moral  sphere  of  men,  or,  as  I  may  now- 
express  it,  imperial  France.  The  awful  consideration  of 
the  torrents  of  blood  which  had  been  shed — the  compari- 
son between  such  horror,  and  the  tranquil  calm  which 
England  had  enjoyed — the  recollection  of  empires  over- 
thrown, and  of  the  immutability  of  civil  and  religious 
rights — the  doubt  whether  the  miseries  of  a  revolution 
were  compensated  by  a  beneficial  change  in  government 
— the  confused  conjecture  what  the  future  peace  relations 
between  the  two  nations  would  be — and  a  lively  curiosity 
to  behold  Paris,  the  seat  of  a  new  government,  and  the 


46 


novel  order  of  things,  pressed  on  the  imagination,  and 
hurried  us  in  anxious  anticipation  towards  the  shore.  The 
character  of  the  warrior  and  statesman,  who  had  been 
placed,  by  the  force  of  his  own  genius,  fortuitous  circum- 
stances, and  the  wishes  of  an  harassed  people,  in  the  seat 
of  supreme  power,  was  also  in  itself  a  strong  stimulous  to 
our  curiosity. 

There  is  a  natural  desire  in  all  men  to  view  a  celebra- 
ted person  whose  exploits  have  crowned  him  with  glory. 
One  wishes  to  examine  the  form  and  countenance,  to  hear 
the  voice,  and  observe  the  manner  of  such  a  man ;  and  as 
we  eagerly  search  amongst  the  remnants  of  antiquities, 
for  any  outline,  medal,  bust,  'or  any  other  demonstration 
pf  the  features  or  appearance  of  a  great  genius,  so  we 
have  a  craving  wish  to  contemplate  a  living  character 
standing  high  in  the  temple  of  Fame,  It  is  a  just  and 
natural  feeling,  and  is,  as  it  were,  a  tribute  to  one  of  our 
own  species,  endowed  with  eminent  and  extraordinary 
qualities,  that  we  cai^not  withhold,  unless  envy  blinds,  and 
malice  hardens  us. 

I  do  not  say  that  such  was  Mr.  Fox's  feelings  respect- 
ing Bonaparte  :  raised  himself,  as  I  think,  upon  a  greater 
eminence,  he  could  not,  as  I  did,  look  with  the  same  as- 
tonishment at  the  stupendous  character  of  that  great  man  ; 
but  he  could  not  be  devoid  of  a  desire,  common  to  us  all, 
of  seeing  and  hearing  one  of  the  most  eminent  persons  of 
the  age.  He  to  whom  the  histories  of  Greece  and  Rome 
were  so  familiar,  looked  with  a  philosophic  eye  upon 
his  exaltation,  and  considered  it  as  a  natural  and  una- 
voidable consequence,  of  the  military  cast  assumed  by 
the  French  nation,  and  of  the  preponderance  of  its  armies. 
I  imagine,  however,  that  there  must  be  a  certain  sort  of 
sympathy  between  men  of  unbounded  genius,  who,  though 
their  pursuits  have  been  different,  and  their  countries  at 
times  adverse  and  hostile,  pay  to  one  another  the  mutual 
homage  of  a  kind  of  complacent  respect   and  deference. 


.47 


As  these  various  ideas  passed  through  my  mind,  the  ves- 
sel glided  along,-^ 


-Hjtt^i  /«  Kw//et 


and,  after  a  passage  of  about  three  hours,  we  entered  the 
harbour  of  Calais.  The  quay  was  crowded  with  specta- 
tors, anxious  to  see  the  great  ornament  of  England,  her 
most  powerful  orator,  and  her  almost  prophetic  statesman. 
We  landed  amidst  the  crowd,  and  passed  to  the  well 
known  inn  at  Calais,  then  extremely  well  kept  by  Killiac. 
I  found  myself  in  a  new  world  ;  the  language,  the  phy- 
siognomy, the  manners,  all  different  from  those  of  the  coun- 
try I  had  left ;  and  I  could  not  but  perceive  a  superiority  in 
the  latter  respect  to  a  considerable  degree.  The  munici- 
pal officers  of  Calais  very  speedily  waited  on  Mr.  Fox, 
paying  him  every  attention,  and  expressing  a  wish  to  en- 
tertain him,  which  he  politely  declined,  On  account  of  his 
desire  to  proceed  the  follov/ing  morning,  without  delay. 

An  incident  occurred  at  Calais,  which,  as  it  excited 
much  remark,  and  roused  a  good  deal  of  censure  at  the 
time,  1  shall  advert  to  more  at  length  than  would  other- 
wise be  necessary.  It  happened  that  Mr.  Arthur  O'Con- 
nor had  arrived  at  the  inn  at  which  we  stopped  very  shortly 
before.  He  waited  on  Mr.  Fox,  was  received  by  him 
with  that  urbanity  and  openness  which  distinguished  him^ 
and  was  invited  to  dinner  by  him,  which  invitation  he  ac- 
cepted of.  I  had  never  seen  this  gentleman  before.  It 
is  well  known  that,  after  a  long  confinement  at  Fort 
George,  he,  and  some  other  Irish  gentlemen,  had  agreed 
with  the  Irish  government  to  expatriate  themselves  for 
life.  Mr.  O'Connor  was  now  on  his  way  to  Paris  accord- 
ingly ;  when  chance  brought  him  to  Killiac's  inn,  at  the 
same  time  with  Mr.  Fox.  His  manners  were  extremely 
pleasing;  and,  without  entering  into  any  discussion  of 
Irish  politics,  in  the  unhappy  times  in  Ireland   preceding 


•48 


and  following  the  year  1798,  I  may  risk  the  assertion,  that, 
as  an  Irish  gentleman,  and  an  unfortunate  exile,  (and  all 
who  are  compelled  to  leave  their  country  are  unfortunate,) 
he  was  entitled  to  politeness,  humanity,  and  even  commi- 
seration.— Perfectly  unconnected  with  government,  and 
travelling  as  any  other  English  gentleman  of  noble  birth, 
Mr.  Fox  found  no  difficulty  in  receiving  this  gentleman, 
(whom  he  had  known  before  he  was  so  deeply  implicated 
in  Irish  politics,)  with  a  friendly  and  consoling  welcome. 
Mr.  O'Connor  dined  with  us  ;  and  I,  for  one,  was  much 
pleased  with  his  deportment  and  appearance,  though  I 
could  not  become,  in  a  manner,  a  convert  to  his  argu^ 
ments,  to  prove  that  his  party  had  not  attempted,  or  desir- 
ed, to  rouse  the  physical  strength  of  his  country  to  effect 
a  change  in  Ireland. 

We  all  went  to  the  theatre  in  the  evening,  which,  if 
painted  and  cleaned,  would  have  appeared  agreeably- 
enough.  We  afterwards  saw  Mr.  O'Connor  (who  re- 
mained some  time  at  Calais  after  us,)  two  or  three  limes 
at  Paris.  I  should  not  have  dwelt  upon  this  little  inci- 
dent in  the  commencement  of  the  tour,  but,  as  preju- 
dice in  some,  and  malignity  in  others,  magnified  it  into 
a  most  improper  communication  with  a  traitorous  or 
rebellious  subject,  at  the  time  it  occurred  ;  and,  as  the 
character  of  Mr.  Fox  must  always  be  of  consequence  to 
the  public,  I  have  judged  it  incumbent  on  me  to  state  the 
facts  in  all  their  simplicity  and  truth,  as  an  antidote  to  the 
calumny. 

It  would  have  been  quite  unsuitable  to  the  grandeur  and 
purity  of  Mr  Fox's  character,  to  have  taken  any  little  pre- 
cautions for  avoiding  what  might  give  party  malice  a  han- 
dle. Certainly,  he  would  not  have  sought  Mr.  O'Con- 
nor, under  those  delicate  circumstances ;  but  when,  in  the 
warmth  of  the  moment,  he  came  to  Mr.  Fox's  apartments, 
it  would  have  evinced  a  consciousness  of  liability  to  blame, 
^v  a  timidity  of  mind,  to  have  shrunk  from  the  visit,   or 


49 


received  it  with  hauteur  and  coldness.  Mr.  Fox,  felt 
nothing  of  these  weaknesses  ;  and,  in  affording  the  rights 
of  hospitality  to  an  unhappy  Irish  gendeman,  did,  perhaps, 
on  no  occasion,  more  strongly  demonstrate  that  real  mag- 
nanimity which  rests  on  inward  rectitude,  and  despises 
the  clamour  of  unthinking,  ignorant,  or  interested  men. 
Perhaps  it  would  have  been  desirable  that  the  circum- 
stance had  not  occurred ;  but  it  remained  alone  for  Mr. 
Fox  to  consult  the  genuine  dignity  and  benevolence  of  his 
character,  and  to  act  as  he  did. 

A  recent  speech  of  a  celebrated  baronet,  has  recalled  to 
my  mind  what  we  heard  either  at  Calais,  or  some  other 
French  town,  relating  to  sir  Francis  Burdett.  It  was 
reported  to  us  that  sir  Francis,  on  landing  at  Calais,  had 
been  designated,  (with  a  design  to  compliment  him)  as 
the  friend  of  Charles  Fox,  and  that  he  had  turned  rqund, 
and  instantly  corrected  the  expression  by  saying,  "  No,'* 
that  he  was  "  Pami  du  peupleJ*"*  The  baronet  in  his  late 
speech  said,  "  he  was  not  the  friend  of  Csesar  or  of  Pom- 
pey,  but  the  friend  of  the  people.''  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
meeting  sir  Francis  at  St.  Anne's  Hill,  before  he  had 
attained  any  of  his  subsequent  celebrity.  I  then  thought 
him  pleasing,  though  tinged  with  vanity,  which,  perhaps, 
in  the  society  of  Mr.  Fox,  was  more  peculiarly  conspicu- 
ous, because  the  powerful  lustre  of  his  great,  yet  unassu- 
ming character,  rendered  the  tinsel  glare  of  any  superficial 
pretension  strikingly  obvious.  At  this  period,  and  I 
allude  to  the  Middlesex  election,  which  made  so  much 
noise  in  1802,  sir  Francis  was  not  unwilling  to  benefit  by 
the  great  and  glorious  name  of  Fox.  It  was  of  consider- 
able service  to  him  in  his  Middlesex  elections ;  and  I  own 
that  when  I  heard  this  "  disclaimer"  at  Calais,  I  was  not 
induced  to  entertain  a  more  elevated  idea  of  sir  Francis 
Burdett's  character,  than  I  had  originally  entertained* 
There  was  certainly  not  much  judgment ;  not  a  proper 
feeling  of  Mr.  Fox's  estimation  on  the  continent ;  and  not 
a  due  «ense  of  that  great  man's  protection  snd  kindness  on 


50 


public  occasions,  manifested  in  this  reply  of  sir  Francis 
Burdett.  Fox,  the  champion  of  the  rights  of  bleeding 
and  oppressed  America,  of  suffering  Ireland,  of  the  mana- 
cled and  despairing  slave, — the  advocate  of  religious  and 
civil  liberty,' — the  opposer,  for  thirty  years,  of  corrupt  and 
arbitrary  ministers, — ttie  statesman  whom  all  foreign  courts 
respected,  and  foreign  nations  loved, — was  not  Fox,  an 
honourable  and  dignified  friend,  to  be  given  to  sir  Francis 
Burdett  ?-— and  did  it  become  him  to  turn  and  disclaim 
the  title  in  order  to  assume  the  far  less  solid  glory  of 
"  I'ami  du  peuple  ?^'  I  would  consider  the  approbation 
and  friendship  of  so  illustrious  a  person  as  Charles  James 
Fox  as  much  more  valuable  than  the  evanescent  applause  of 
a  heated  multitude.  To  be  the  friend  of  Fox  and  of  the 
English  people  were,  besides,  not  incompatible  or  inconsis- 
tent. They  put  under  my  plate  at  the  public  dinner  at 
Lisle,  a  ticket  inscribed,  "  I'ami  du  lord  Fox,"  which  I 
have  ever  since  retained,  as  an  honourable,  and  to  me  ever 
melancholy  memorial.  I  should  have  been  sorry  had  I 
even  possessed  all  the  fortune,  and  all  the  consequence  of 
sir  Francis  Burdett,  to  have  thrown  away  my  ticket  with 
coldness,  or  to  have  returned  it  to  the  good  people  of 
Lisle  with  the  remark,  that  I  required  one  inscribed  "  I'ami 
du  peuple."  The  words  of  sir  Francis,  at  Calais,  may 
appear  to  some  too  trivial  to  record.  I  do  not  think  so. 
I  was  then  of  opinion,  and  am  still,  that  they  strongly 
marked  his  character,  that  a  love  of  popular  admiration 
pervaded  his  mind,  and  blinded  his  judgment ;  and  that 
nothing  could  more  plainly  indicate  the  bias  of  his  mind 
than  the  reply  at  Calais.  If  I  had  had  doubts  of  his  hav- 
ing made  it,  his  late  words  would  remove  them.  "  It 
was  said  in  ancient  times,  that  Caesar  had  a  friend,  and 
Pompey  had  friends,  but  that  the  public  had  no  friends  ; 
I  shall  never  be    of  the  party  of  Caesar,  nor  of  Pompey.'- 

This  denial  of  party,  when  he  is  at  the  head  of  a  very 
active  one,  is  another  proof  of  that  inordinate  love  of  ap- 
plause which  has  carried  the  respectable  and  amiable  ba- 


51 


ronet  into  the  impropriety  of  appearing  to  disavow  a  friend, 
or  of  putting  his  own  party  in  the  place  of  the  English 
nation.  Excessive  flattery  is  bad  for  the  people  them- 
selves ;  and,  when  applied  in  this  manner,  by  sir  Francis 
Burdett,  is  apt  to  lead  them  into  an  arrogant  and  monstrous 
estimation  of  their  own  value,  to  the  prejudice  of  many 
patriotic  and  noble  characters  ;  who,  though  they  may  be 
the  friends  of  Caesar  or  of  Pompey,  (and  how  many  illus- 
trious and  patriotic  Romans  ranged  under  the  banners  of 
each  ?)  may  not  be  the  enemies  of  the  people  ;  although 
they  do  not,  on  public  occasions,  flatter  their  vanity,  and 
receive,  in  return,  peals  and  bursts  of  applause. 

The  town  of  Calais  is  a  considerable  one,  containing 
from  nine  to  eleven  thousand  inhabitants;  it  resembles  an 
English  town  so  much  that  it  reminded  me  of  the  period 
when  it  was  annexed  to  England.  The  change,  however, 
was  very  great.  Those  dismembered  parts  of  this  king- 
dom, once  attached  to  England,  all  reunited,  and  a  great 
and  astonishing  accession  of  territory  superadded — no  lon- 
ger that  dangerous  military  genius  existing  in  the  English 
monarchs,  which  so  often  led  them  to  successful  invasion  of 
their  neighbours  :  their  naval  glory  conducing  rather  to 
the  acquisition  of  colonies,  than  to  the  subjugation  of  king- 
doms ;  and  their  statesmen  cultivating  the  interests,  and 
bending  to  the  views  of  commerce,  instead  of  keeping  the 
English,  a  martial,  lofty,  and  independent  race  of  men,  as 
they  were  in  their  ancient  and  better  days ;  these  were 
features  of  the  times  very  obviously  presenting  themselves 
to  a  young  traveller's  contemplation,  upon  his  entrance 
into  Calais.  The  moat  and  fortifications,  once  used 
against  the  inhabitants  of  the  country,  are  become  useless ; 
and,  as  we  passed  through  the  gates,  on  the  morning  of 
the  1st  of  August,  the  day  after  we  had  landed,  I  felt 
satisfaction  that  the  inhabitants  of  France  were  relieved 
from  a  vexation,  and  those  of  England  from  a  burthen- 
some  and  superfluous  expense. 


52 


The  country  around  Calais  being  destitute  of  interest 
^nd  beauty,  until  we  arrive  on  the  borders  of  Flanders, 
there  was  little  to  call  forth  observation,  at  first,  upon  en- 
tering France.  To  me,  however,  as  every  thing  was 
new,  even  this  scene  was  entertaining— the  dress  of  the 
peasantry,  being  of  various,  and  of  the  finest  colours,  such 
as  crimson,  pink,  sky  blue,  and  light  green,  struck  me  as 
adding  greatly  to  picturesque  effect;  and  I  believe  the 
painter's  eye  would,  in  every  scene  of  rural  beauty,  re- 
quire the  warm  and  finer  colours  occasionally  to  intervene, 
to  make  that  perfect  harmony  which  delights  and  satisfies 
the  eye  in  colouring. 

St.  Omer's  is  a  large,  and  I  thought  a  melancholy- 
looking  town.  There  is  one  very  handsome,  though  in- 
jured, church,  and  several  others,  as  well  as  convents,  or 
rather  ruined  buildings,  formerly  convents.  It  seemed  to 
be  thinly  peopled  and  dull.  As  this  town  had  often  af- 
forded education  to  Irish  young  men,  destined  for  that 
ecclesiastical  situation,  which  had  long  been,  with  more 
than  Gothic  proscription,  denounced  and  persecuted  in  the 
native  country  of  these  unfortunate  men,  I  suppressed  a 
sigh,  as  we  passed  through,  at  the  fate  of  my  countrymen, 
so  well  deserving,  yet  so  long  debarred  of  happiness.  I 
hoped  for  enlightened  times  operating  in  their  favour,  and 
I  breathed  the  melancholy  prayer,  that  if  their  misfortunes 
were  to  endure  yet  longer,  I  might  close  the  last  of  my 
days  among  them  ;  and,  if  possible,  alleviate  their  miseries, 
by  giving  such  counsel  and  consolation  as  limited  powers 
would  allow,  and  by  participating  in  those  sorrows  whose 
cause  had  not  been  removed.  Mr.  Fox,  the  best  pillar  of 
the  English  constitution,  in  the  genuine  sense  of  the  word, 
and  the  best  friend  to  Ireland,  whose  genius  and  philan- 
thropy gave  grounds  for  hoping  better  things,  was  advanc- 
ing in  years.  It  was  not  even  probable,  then,  that  he 
would  ever  be  minister  in  England.  My  melancholy  fore-, 
boding  did  not  anticipate  his  premature  dissolution ;  but 


53 

something  told  me,  that  Ireland  was  to  suffer  yet  as  much 
as  she  had  done  in  those  illiberal  days,  when  her  youth 
were  driven  to  seek  that  education  abroad,  which  she  had 
formerly  herself  afforded  to  foreigners ;  to  the  sons  of 
nobles  and  kings,  and  to  lovers  of  literature  from  everr 
dime. 


CHAPTER  IV, 


ON  entering  that  part  of  modern  France,  so  well 
known  by  the  appellation  of  the  Netherlands,  the  glorious 
scene  of  human  prosperity,  and  of  rural  happiness  and 
plenty,  which  opened  before  our  delighted  eyes,  was  a  true 
feast  to  the  mind.  Flanders  had  long  enjoyed  a  liberal 
portion  of  rational  liberty :  its  independence,  sanctioned 
^nd  guaranteed  by  so  many  imperial  sovereigns,  had,  until 
the  reign  of  the  visionary  despot  Joseph  II.  given  it  all 
the  just  fruits  of  liberty,  peace,  abundance,  and  security. 
Our  way  to  Cassel  lay  through  a  most  rich,  finely-culti- 
vated, and  beautiful  tract  of  land.  No  longer  fields,  as  in 
the  garden-like  covmtry  of  England,  but  plains  of  golden 
harvest,  stretched  around.  As  we  approached  St.  Omer's 
the  difference  between  two  very  distinct  race  of  men  grew 
perceptible ;  and  after  passing  it,  the  gradation  from  French 
to  Flemish  was  quickly  lost  in  the  latter.  A  larger  bodily 
form,  a  manifest  deficiency  in  grace,  less  intellect,  but  more 
plain  sense — the  dress  inelegant  and  cumbrous,  marked 
the  Flemings.  As  yet  I  had  seen  but  little  of  the  French ; 
but  already  their  gracefulness,  politeness,  and  the  general 
elegance  of  their  forms,  had  prepossessed  me  in  their 
favour.  There  was  an  antique  homeliness,  however,  in 
the  Flemings  extremely  respectable,  and  not  destitute  of 


55 


interest.  The  traces  of  their  ancient  independence  were 
legible  everywhere.  Their  very  stature,  and  the  size  of 
their  cattle  and  domestic  animals,  seemed,  under  the  fos- 
tering and  protecting  hand  of  liberty,  to  have  amplified, 
and  nature,  no  longer  stinted,  to  have  pushed  to  their 
just  dimensions,  the  forms  of  rational  and  animal  beings. 
My  heart  expanded  at  the  consciousness  that  some  of  my 
fellow- creatures  had  been,  and  were  yet,  comparatively 
speaking,  happy  and  unmolested  by  the  galling  hand  of  ar- 
bitrary power.  The  noble  scene  of  universal  plenty  and 
content,  which  presented  itself,  produced  a  thousand  pleas- 
ing sensations.  I  entered,  in  imagination,  their  dwellings, 
which,  as  we  passed  along,  appeared,  with  very  few  ex- 
ceptions, neat,  good,  and  comfortable.  The  people  looked 
happy.  I  could  fancy  the  comfort  and  pleasure  of  the 
domestic  circle ;  the  good  wife  and  affectionate  mother, 
the  ornament  and  blessing  of  her  family,  the  happy  father 
and  husband,  and  the  pleased  and  well  brought  up  youths, 
surrounding  them. 

I  regretted  much  that  we  passed  so  rapidly  through  this 
noble  country;  but  Mr.  Fox  was  pressed  for  time,  and 
without  deducting  too  much  for  what  he  had  appropriated 
to  give  to  Paris,  we  could  not  delay.  The  impression 
made  on  my  mind,  however,  was  very  strong ;  and  I  im- 
bibed, as  I  passed  on,  the  great  practical  lesson,  that  good 
government,  which  implies  sufficient  liberty  to  man,  is  best 
evinced  by  its  results ;  and  that  a  happy,  flourishing,  and 
independent  yeomanry,  without  the  grating  extremes  of  an 
arrogant  and  super-abounding  aristocracy,  or,  of  a  misera* 
ble  and  starving  peasantry,  is  the  most  gratifying  sight  for 
a  lover  of  his  fellow-creatures,  of  social  order  in  its  true 
sense,  and  for  a  believer  in  that  sacred  religion,  which  en- 
joins mercy,  charity,  and  moderation,  a  lesson  as  imperious 
and  requiring  to  be  followed  by  the  government  and 
crowned  heads,  as  by  the  people.  As  we  passed  along  I 
observed  that  Mr.  Fox  had  lately  made  himself  master  of 
the  theory  and   practice  of  agriculture   more   than  I  had 


156 


b^n  aware  of,  and  his  observations  were  equally  pertinent 
and  strong  upon  those  subjects.  His  mind  was,  perhaps, 
never  in  greater  vigour.  He  was  relieved  from  the  eternal 
and  ineffectual  clamour  of  political  warfare  :  equally  at  his 
ease,  abroad  as  at  home,  and  conversant  with  most  foreign 
modern  languages,  this  great  man  was  now  soaring  forth 
on  the  continent,  in  the  meridian  of  his  glory,  where  his 
genius  and  his  public  virtues,  were  well  understood  and 
much  respected.  The  small  society  he  carried  with  him 
sufficed  to  make  him  happy,  and  his  happiness  was  increas- 
ed, by  having  contributed  to  theirs.  We  brought  in  the 
coach  with  us  some  of  Fielding's  novels,  and  I  was  the 
common  reader. 

As  we  advanced  in  the  Netherlands,  smoking  was  ob- 
served to  be  more  prevalent,  and  the  effect,  to  me  at  least, 
was  far  more  ludicrous  than  picturesque,  to  behold  boys, 
of  fourteen  or  fifteen,  with  cocked  hats  upon  them,  sitting 
under  trees  smoking.  A  number  of  pretty  and  new 
country  houses,  a  la  mode  Ang-lgise,  appeared  rising  up 
here  and  there.  Still,  until  we  got  nearer  Cassel,  a  good 
deal  of  French  manner  was  perceptible.  As  it  was  Sun- 
day we  saw  great  numbers  of  the  people,  who  appeared  to 
enjoy  themselves  very  much,  and  divided  into  small  happy 
parties  amidst  the  hay  on  the  road  side,  at  their  doors,  or 
in  their  gardens.  I  observed  with  pleasure  how  fond  all 
were  of  flowe/s,  persons  of  every  age  wearing  them  in  their 
breast,  or  in  their  hats  or  caps.  Sunday  was  not  rigour- 
ously  observed,  after  prayers  were  over  for  the  day,  as  we 
saw  some  people  working,  driving  carts,  Sec.  I  had  ob- 
served that  the  church  at  Calais  was  thinly  attended ;  but 
at  a  small  village  on  the  road  side,  we  saw  great  numbers 
of  well-dressed  people  coming  out  of  church.  As  religion, 
had  suffered  so  rude  a  shock  in  France,  and  its  dependent 
territories,  I  was  gratified  in  finding  that,  at  least  amongst 
the  happy  and  flourishing  scenes  of  Flanders,  respect  for 
religious  worship  had  maintained  its  ground,  and  that  this 
orderly  people  had  not  swerved  from  one  of  the  first  and 


57 

greatest  supports  of  social  order  and  human  happinesso 
The  legislator  who  rashly  attempts  to  undermine  this  prop 
of  society,  deserves  but  the  name  of  innovator :  he  en* 
deavours  to  take,  from  a  simple  and  happy  race,  that  source 
of  consolation  which  he  cannot  replace,  and  he  labours  to 
make  them  precisely  what  he  would  desire. to  avoid,  tur- 
bulent, unprincipled  and  factious  : — he  throws  from  his 
hands  one  of  the  surest  means  of  preserving  order  and  re- 
gularity, and  having  stripped  the  vessel  of  her  helm,  hopes 
that  she  will  be  otherwise  guided  or  governedi 

The  Flemings  have  always  been  attached  to  the  Roman 
Catholic  religion,  their  faith  bordering  on  superstition ; 
but  if  we  may  judge  by  effects,  we  might  pronounce,  that 
that  religion  has  been  as  favourable,  in  a  moral  and  reli- 
gious view,  to  their  happiness  and  well  doing,  as  their 
agriculture  and  their  independence  have  been  to  their  tem- 
poral and  worldly  prosperity.  As  we  approached  Cassel 
w6  were  much  astonished,  (and  still  more  when  we  began 
the  ascent)  at  the  extraordinary  and  almost  boundless  ex- 
tent of  view  which  expanded  around  us.  The  situation  o£ 
Cassel  is  quite  unique.  It  is  seated  on  a  hill,  or  rather 
small  mountain,  commanding  one  of  the  finest  agricultural 
countries  in  the  world.  Towns,  cities,  villages,  rivers, 
and  that  vast  champaign  of  cultivated  land,  spreading  in. 
every  direction,  surprized  and  delighted  us  in  no  comnioa 
degree,  Mr.  Fox  was  much  and  highly  gratified  at  this 
grand  panorama  of  nature^  and  enjoyed  it,  as  he  did  every 
other  thing,  as  much  as  the  youngest  of  the  party.  Our 
way  had  lain  through  a  rich  and  admirably- cultivated 
country,  abounding  with  wheat,  barley,  flax,  hemp,  peas, 
&c.  &c. 

The  elevation  of  Cassel  very  happily  and  peculiarly  ter- 
minated our  first  day's  journey.  Cassel  is  an  old  irregular 
town,  but  the  commanding  view,  from  every  point,  well 
compensates  for  the  fatigue  of  the  ascent,  and  the  want  of 
beauty  in  the  town.      The  succeeding  morning. presented  a 


6H 

sight  very  diverting,  as  it  was  thfit  of  a  fete  or  fair.     The 
town  was  filled  with  the  good  Flemings,  whose  grotesque 
figures  and  cumbrous  dress,  offered  a  thousand  living  pic- 
tures worthy  of  the  pencil  of  Teniers.    I  was  much  pleased 
with  them,  for  it  is  always  more  advantageous  and  instruc- 
tive to  study  originals  than  copies.  The  church  bore  some 
marks  of  revolutionary  fury.     It  was  full  of  decent  people, 
honest,  good  citizens,  and  pious  catholics.  Their  sincerity 
in  devotion  was  obvious,  and  highly  to  be  respected.      I 
shall  not  easily  forget  the  expression  of  horror  in  the  coun- 
tenance of  a  female  (I  believe  of  some  religious  order) 
when  I  was  observing  the  marks  of  shot  upon  the  front  of 
the  church.    She  was  meanly  dressed,  but  of  an  interesting 
figure,  she  did  not  speak,  but  her  eyes  first  raised  to  heaven 
with  a  sort  of   indignant   appeal,   were  then  cast  on  the 
church,  she  then  passed  on.     This  pious  female's  horror 
doubtless  was  well  founded.    The  excesses  of  a  licentious 
military  are  in  no  case  more  to  be  reprobated  than  in  the 
outraging  the  house  of  God,  or  the  mansions  of  the  dead. 
The  general  who  permits  it,  saps  the  foundation  of  disci- 
pline and  government;  and  he  who  encourages  it,   tends 
directly  to  dissolve  the  bonds  of  society,  as  well  as  affront 
the  laws  of  God.  When  I  have  reflected  upon  the  anguish 
of  this  poor  religieuse^  I  have  become  more  and  more  con- 
firmed in  the  idea,  that  to  wound  the  religious  feelings  and 
prejudices  of  human  beings,  is  one  of  the  worst  species  of 
ciruelty  to  our  fellow-creatures.      I  would  not  disturb  the 
simple   Indian  in  his  homage  to  the  Deity,  or  injure   the 
humble  temple  he  raised  to  his  honour,  on  any  considera- 
tion.     In  sacred  matters  the  mind  of  man  spurns  at  con- 
tumely, with  a  degree  of  bitterness  which  springs  from  an 
inherent  sense  of  his  independence   in  such  things,  and  a 
consciousness  that  no  human  power  can  prescribe,  still  less 
insult,  religion,  her  worship,  and  her  laws. 

The  Flemings  seemed  to  me  always  so  much  in  earnest 
in  religion,  that  I  liked  them  much.  I  saw  here  a  convent 
entirely  dismantled,  and  its  garden  destroyed :  convents 


59 

having  been  all  abolished  without  exception.  How  far  a 
modification,  instead  of  the  violent,  and  in  most  instances 
cruel  plan  of  total  destruction  would  have  been  preferable, 
I  shall  not  discuss.  Certainly,  a  sudden  overthrow  of  an- 
cient establishments  occasions,  in  all  cases,  much  misery, 
and  in  religious  ones  peculiar  sorrows.  Those  who  have 
long  lived  secluded,  feel  unwillingness  and  pain  in  return- 
ing to  the  bustle  of  common  life  :  their  habits  have  all 
formed  themselves  to  a  contemplative  one;  their  avoca- 
tions are  entirely  different  from  those  of  others  ;  and  their 
devotion  to  the  service  of  God,  has  rendered  the  common 
pursuits  of  the  world  insipid,  if  not  unpalatable.  Females, 
in  such  a  case,  of  noble  or  genteel  families,  and  those  of  a 
devout  and  sublime  cast  of  mind,  are  peculiar  objects  of 
compassion. 

As  it  was  the  fair  day,  we  saw,  previous  to  our  depar- 
ture, a  great  number  of  people  assembled  in  the  market- 
place. The  cattle,  particularly  the  cows,  were  very  fine, 
and  the  horses  of  a  great  size;  but  the  pigs  were  most 
miserable  in  appearance  and  condition — a  fact  which  very 
ill  agreed  with  the  excellent  farming  we  had  witnessed. 
In  the  fair,  hats,  shoes,  a  great  profusion  of  ready-made 
clothes,  earthen  ware,  shawls,  muslins,  cottons,  buckles, 
baskets,  coarse  linen,  and  woollen  stockings,  were  exhibited 
for  sale.  The  inn  at  Cassel  afforded  every  thing  very  good, 
though  there  was  not  much  elegance  in  the  house  or  fur^ 
niture. 

The  descent,  on  leaving  Cassel,  was  equally  beautiful 
and  extraordinary  with  the  ascent;  and  we  continued  on 
our  way  to  Lisle  to  pass  through  a  finely-cultivated  country, 
whose  rich  crops  of  wheat,  oats,  &c.  waved  in  full  lux- 
uriance before  us ;  amongst  which  I  observed  one  of  the 
poppies,  which  had  a  beautiful  effect.  We  this  day  com- 
menced our  readings.  I  began  Joseph  Andrews  ;  the  day, 
however,  had  become  extremely  hot,  and  made  this  less 
pleasant  than  otherwise.      Mr.  Fox  was  much  amused  by 


60 

our  book ;  and  though  we  all  subsequently  agreed  as  to  th&- 
vulgarity,  a  little  too  prevalent  in  Fielding's  novels,  yet 
his  faithful  and  admirable  paintings  from  human  nature 
afforded  us  great  pleasure.  The  introduction  of  such  an 
author  upon  our  journey,  when  the  monotony  of  a  road,  or 
part  of  the  country,  would  otherwise  have  fatigued,  was 
very  agreeable.  For  my  part,  I  enjoyed  Mr.  Fox's  lively 
remarks  on  Fielding  a  great  deal ;  and,  as  I  never  made 
obsequiousness  to  his  opinions  a  part  of  my  conduct,  I  dis- 
sented from  him  occasionally  with  perfect  freedom  ;  and  so 
happy  was  his  disposition,  so  entirely  exempt  from  any  kind 
of  impatience,  or  assumption  of  superiority,  that  he  relish- 
ed conversation  the  more,  and  seemed  better  satisfied  on 
finding  that  independence  of  opinion  in  his  own  small  circle, 
which,  in  a  narrow  or  larger  sphere  of  life,  gives  the  beat 
zest  to  society. 

At  these  times  his  conversation  was  playful,  and  natural 
in  a  high  degree ;  and,  as  in  all  other  things,  the  most  mi- 
nute touch  of  nature  never  escaped  him.  As  Mrs.  Fox's 
good-nature  never  allowed  me  to  have  an  uneasy  moment, 
and  as  she  disdained  to  give  superfluous  trouble,  we  rattled 
along  in  a  very  pleasant  manner,  going  through  Billeul,  an 
ugly  town,  and  some  other  country  towns,  and,  with  the 
help  of  Joseph  Andrews,  found  not  a  weary  moment.  In 
most  of  these  towns  I  observed  the  tree  of  liberty  planted 
and  growing.  This  memorial  of  the  fury  of  late  events 
recalled  many  unpleasant  ideas.  It  stood  as  evidence  of 
the  weakness,  and  of  the  miseries  of  man,  and  shewed  that 
when  he  aims  at  theoretic  perfection,  and  legislates  with 
the  phrenzy  of  an  innovator,  his  efforts  for  the  melioration 
of  his  condition  must  all  be  futile  In  most  places  the  tree 
of  liberty,  though  undisturbed,  looked  sickly  ;  and  as  I  cast 
a  glance  on  its  fading  leaves,  I  could  not  but  think  of  the 
sublime  apostrophe  made  by  liberty  in  her  last  agonies,  by- 
one  of  the  very  brightest  of  France's  ornaments,  in  her 
revolutionary  days,  Madame  Roland.  Yet  the  excesses 
?nto  which  the  French  were  driven,  are  not  less  entitled  to 


^1 

pity  than  to  blame ;  and  I  have  often  thought  that  those 
guilty  and  profligate  governments,  which  have  since  affected 
to  derive  strtngth  from  this  deplorable  manifestation  of 
the  people's  rage  and  extravagance,  ought  rather  to  have 
imbibed  a  salutary  lesson,  and  have  felt  that  the  tremendous 
castigation  which  thus  falls  upon  a  government,  is  sooner 
or  later  the  inevitable  result  of  its  own  blind  misconduct : 
but  men  in  power  are  seldom  endowed  with  feelings  liberal 
enough  to  do  justice  to  the  middle  and  lower  classes  of 
men,  or  they  are  too  hypocritical  to  admit  the  truth.  The 
exasperation  of  the  multitude  seldom  exceeds  the  boun- 
daries of  law  and  order,  till  they  feel  convinced  that  their 
complaints  are  unavailing;  and  the  pressure  of  taxation 
co-operating,  they  rush  forward,  and  if  they  do  not  justly 
correct  their  rulers,  they  at  least  afford  a  warning  to  pos- 
terity, that  moderation  best  secures  a  government,  and 
that  corruption  cannot  withstand  popular  despair.  Yet  the 
faded  tree  of  liberty  filled  me  with  sorrow.  1  sighed  over 
the  inevitable  result  of  the  revolution  in  France,  arising 
from  the  preponderance  of  bad  men  and  turbulent  factions. 
The  tree  is  faded,  thought  I,  but  the  rights  of  man  will 
endure  for  ever.  Dynasties  may  be  erected,  generals  be= 
come  monarchs,  the  people  be  depressed,  but  liberty  is 
enthroned  in  the  heart  of  man,  is  the  boon  of  his  Creator, 
and  the  cloudless  jewel  of  life.  Liberty  will  revive,  and 
when  the  despot  sleeps  beneath  his  pompous  monument, 
will  bestow  on  millions  precious  gifts.  As  we  approached 
l^isle,  I  shut  Joseph  Andrews,  and  a  new  scene  opened 
befort  5ne. 


* 


CHAPTER  V^. 


ON  entering  Lisle,  a  difFerence  was  very  manifest 
between  it  and  the  towns  and  country  we  had  lately  passed. 
Every  thing  here  was  French.     The  people,  the  dresses, 
and  manners  were  no  longer  Flemish.     The  town  is  large 
and  handsome,  though  somewhat  decayed,  and  the  carved 
stone  fronts  of  most  of  the  houses  in  the  great  square  have 
a  very  rich  effect.    It  is  said  to  have  contained  before  the 
revolution  76,000  inhabitants,  now,  however,  but  53,000. 
There   were    3000   troops   in  it.      I  saw  about  twelve  or 
fifteen  exceeding  good  hackney  coaches,  but  not  one  gen*- 
tleman's  carriage  ;  and  this  is  the  more  remarkable,  because 
there  were  formerly  not  less  than   three   hundred  of  the 
noblesse  in  it.     This  was  one  of  the  first  striking  effects 
of  a  revolution  which  had  cost   so  much   blood.      In  the 
year  1802,  that  revolution  having  performed  the  various 
changes  in  its  eccentric   course,  approached  its  term.     A 
new  dynasty  was  then  silently  raising  its   head,  and  pre- 
paring, upon  the  improved  and  regenerated  state,  to  erect 
one  of  the  most  imposing  political  superstructures  that  has 
ever  appeared.     The   nobility  in  Lisle  had  disappeared, 
and,  doubtless,  when  that  order  becomes  so  ridiculous  and 
numerous  as  it  had  become  under  the  latter  Bourbons,  it 
calls  for  reform  and  change ;   but  the  destruction  of  the 
privileged  orders  requires   in  time  that  it  be  replaced  by 
some  others. 


63 

Every  possible  attention  was  paid  to  Mr.  "Fox  at  Lisle  ; 
the  municipal  officers  waited  upon,  and  the  inhabitants, 
and  officers  quartered  there,  vied  with  each  other  in  po- 
liteness. He  was  invited  on  the  day  succeeding  his  arri- 
val, to  a  public  dinner,  given  by  the  town,  and  I  believe, 
the  garrison  united,  and  consequently  we  remained  a  day 
longer  than  we  had  intended.  On  the  morning  of  this  day 
we  saw  the  library  and  collection  of  pictures,  neither  of 
which  are  very  remarkable  ;  as  also  the  central  school,  at 
which  are  taught  drawing,  natural  history,  mathematics, 
physics,  history  and  chemistry.  These  schools,  which 
have  national  support,  I  understand  are  not  popular,  and 
none  but  the  poorest  people  send  their  children  to  them. 
In  matters  of  education  it  is  often  found,  that  where  the 
government  interferes,  the  intended  object  is  not  attained. 
The  pride  and  the  prejudices  of  the  people  act  against 
them :  and  unles  in  the  higher  departments  of  education, 
where  the  system  is  good  and  under  the  immediate  en- 
couragement of  the  head  of  the  government,  instruction  is 
deemed  rather  of  an  eleemosynary  nature,  and  the  dispens- 
ing it,  as  well  as  the  general  management,  is  apt  to  be  con- 
verted into  a  job. 

A  pleasant  incident  occurred  on  the  morning  of  our  se- 
cond day  at  Lisle.  The  waiter  threw  open  the  door  of 
our  apartment,  announcing  lieutenant-general  O'Mara.  A 
large  and  fine  figure  of  a  man,  in  full  regimentals,  entered 
and  introduced  himself  to  Mr.  Fox.  He  was  an  Irish- 
man, or  rather  of  Irish  extraction,  having  been  born  in 
France,  and  having  served  in  the  French  armies  since  his 
earliest  youth.  He  had  naturally  desired  to  see  Mr.  Fox, 
and  hoped,  through  his  good  offices,  to  be  allowed  a  short 
time  of  leave  to  behold  what  he  considered  his  native  land. 
Reader,  imagine,  that  strength  of  feeling,  that  sympathy 
and  yearning  for  one's  country,  which  this  brave  officer 
felt ! !  He  spoke  a  little  English,  and,  what  is  singular, 
with  an  Irish  brogue  ;  and  this  was  a  peculiarity  which  as 
I  was   assured,  he  showed  in  common  v/ith  manv  other 


t)4 

persons  of  Irish  extraction,  who  had  been  born  in,  and  had 
never  been  out  of,  France,  Mr.  Fox,  with  his  usual  com- 
placency, remarked  to  the  general,  that  I  was  his  com" 
patriate^  when  he  instantly  addressed  a  few  words  of  the 
Irish  or  Celtic  language  to  me.  I  was  sorry  I  could  not 
reply  to  him  in  the  same.  The  general  expressed  the 
strongest  desire  to  behold  Ireland  j  he  felt  for  it,  as  if  all 
his  friends  were  there,  as  if  he  recollected  them,  and 
wished  to  revisit  them.  He  was  agreeable,  and  had  that 
warmth  and  openness  which  distinguish  the  Irish  so  much 
in  their  manners,  and  which,  accompanied  by  educa- 
tion, and  softened  by  travelling,  make  Irish  gentlemen  in- 
ferior to  none  others  in  society.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox  were 
much  pleased  and  entertained  by  the  general's  visit ;  and  I 
felt  a  peculiar  sentiment  of  respect  for  this  brave  man, 
who,  bred  up  in  the  midst  of  the  most  polished  nation  on 
the  continent,  and  long  used  to  the  bustle  of  arms,  yet  re- 
membered with  veneration  and  affection  the  land  of  his 
ancestors,  the  island  whose  name  and  story  was  still  held 
in  respect  upon  the  continent  of  Europe. 

At  dinner  time  we  repaired  to  a  handsome  building  erect- 
ed for  public  uses,  and  I  now,  for  the  first  time,  felt  my- 
self in  French  society.  Every  thing  was  pleasing,  and 
certainly  the  inhabitants  of  Lisle  appeared  to  me  in  a  very 
advantageous  point  of  view  in  giving  this  entertainment  to 
Mr.  Fox.  There  was  an  independent  and  voluntary  air 
through  the  whole  of  it.  After  some  conversation  in  the 
apartments  belovf,  we  ascended  to  a  large  room,  where  a 
very  elegant  and  plentiful  dinner  was  tastefully  arranged. 
I  found  myself  placed  beside  my  worthy  compatriote,  the 
general,  who  did  not  not  fail,  in  plying  me  with  bumpers 
of  various  and  excellent  wines,  to  prove  his  kindness,  and 
his  claim  to  the  hospitable  character  of  countryman. 

After  dinner  the  toasts  were  given  with  discharges  di 
cannon,  and  were  all  of  a  conciliatory,  pacific  complexion, 
^'  Peace  between  the  two  gjreat  nations  of  Europe,"  was 


65 

given,  and  there  was  evident  throughout  a  wish  to  compli- 
ment the  English,  and  a  desire  to  mark  an  oblivion  of  all 
hostility  between  the  two  rival  countries.  It  was  a  de- 
lightful moment!  Every  angry  passion  bar.lshed — the 
miseries  the  two  nations  had  endured  in  a  lor.p;  period  of 
vexatious  and  unnecessary  war,  were  ascribed  to  ill  coun- 
cils of  ministers,  and  to  the  heats  and  fury  of  the  day-^a 
reconcilation  between  two  great  families  in  society  effected 
—the  members  of  both,  anxious  to  embrace  and  willing  to 
forget — this,  crowned  by  the  inhabitants  of  one  of  the 
most  celebrated  towns  on  the  continent  giving  a  free,  pub- 
lic, and  affectionate  mark  of  reverence  and  regard  for  the 
great  statesman  of  England,  the  friend  of  peace,  and  advo- 
cate of  the  rights  of  mankind,  was  a  happy  and  truly 
delicious  hour.  Such  things  seldom  occur;  but  when  they 
do,  existence  seems  to  have  double  value,  or  rather  to 
them  confer  that  happiness  intended  by  the  Creator,  and 
so  perversely  marred  b)  the  schemes  of  rash  and  unfeeling 
politicians.  The  hilarity  evinced  by  the  inhabitants  an4 
military  on  this  opcasion,  was  in  no  degree  affected.  The 
relief  which  peace  had  brought,  seemed  to  be  strongly  felt 
by  every  one ;  and  the  opportunity  afforded  by  Mr.  Fox's 
presence  in  that  town,  was  hailed  as  a  gracious  and  good 
omen  for  a  long  course  of  enjoyment  of  all  those  endearing 
and  mutual  good  offices,  between  two  great  nations,  which 
peace  ensures,  and  which  war  had  so  long  impeded. 

In  the  evening  a  play  was  given  in  compliment  to  their 
guest,  by  the  company  at  dinner.  The  hour  of  its  com- 
mencement was  the  moment  of  our  rising  from  the  dinner 
table.  All  then  was  animating.  A  French  gentleman, 
taking  me  by  the  arm,  conducted  me  to  the  theatre.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fox  were  already  there.  Free  admission  was 
given,  of  course,  to  all  Mr.  Fox's  friends,  and  every  thing 
was  conducted  in  the  most  pleasing  manner,  and  with  the 
m.ost  marked  and  refined  attention  to  their  illustrious 
guest.  When  we  had  returned  to  our  hotel,  the  military 
band  gave  a  mo«!t  charming  serenade. 

t 


66 

The  night  was  very  fine,  the  musick  very  good,  and  ths 
whole  day  had  been  so  pleasurable  and  gratifying,  that  this 
additional  and  elegant  compliment  formed  a  conclusion 
very  suitable  to  it.      Mr.  Fox  received  all  these  marks  of 
deference  and  politeness,   with  that  sim.ple  and  unaffected 
manner  usual  to  him,  but  by  no  means  with  insensibility. 
An   ignorant   spectator  might  have  imagined  that  he  was 
cold  in  his  manner  of  receiving  the  flattering  attentions  of 
those  who  admired  his  character,  but  this  was  occasioned 
by  the  innate   modesty  of  his  nature,  as  I  had  more  than 
once  an   opportunity  of  observing  that  he'  unwillingly  as- 
cribed to  himself  any  of  that  merit  of  an  extraordinary  kind, 
which    drew  forth   the  admiration  of  others.     This  great 
man   had   no    craving  desire    for   popular    applause,    no 
hungering  after  praise ;  and  I  believe,  if  he  found  any 
thing  distressing  on  public  occasions,  it  was   the  demon- 
stration of  approbation,  which  an  admiring  audience  be- 
stowed upon  him.      Feeling,  however,  for  him  all   those 
sentiments  of  gratitude   and    attachment,  which  his  cha- 
racter and  great   and  amiable  qualities  inspired,    I  retired 
for  the  night,  pleased,  and  charmed,  with  the  conduct  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Lisle,  and  not  without  some  reflections 
upon  the  blindness  of  Englishmen,  who  too  late  were  be- 
ginning to  recognise  the  singular  merit  of  Charles  James 
Fox» 

The  next  morning  we  set  out  on  our  way  to  Ghent ", 
the  country  was  still  more  superb,  if  I  may  use  a  French 
term,  than  that  surrounding  Cassel.  A  scene  so  rich  was 
a  continual  source  of  wonder  to  us  :  all  the  land  yielding 
immense  crops  ;  all  the  people  appearing  happy ;  and  now 
seeming  to  labour  beyond  moderation.— The  houses  all 
good,  comfortable,  and  well  furnished.  It  was  diflicult  to 
abstain  a  moment  from  looking  upon  this  noble  picture  of 
plenty  and  happiness.  Joseph  Andrews  was,  however^ 
resumed,  and  as  the  heat,  and  dust,  became  unpleasant, 
we  occasionally  let  down  the  blinds,  and  our  time  glided 
pleasantly  on.     As  we  approached  Ghent  the  appearance 


§7 

of  the  country  improved,  and  became  still  more  beautiful  ; 
small  farms,  well  enclosed,  very  pretty  qountry  houses,  and 
a  good  deal  of  wood  in  the  midst  of  the  golden  harvest  I 
have  described,  rendered  the  approach  to  Ghent  quite 
delightful.  We  entered  Ghent.  It  is  a  large  and  magni- 
ficent town.  The  houses  are  lofty  and  venerable,  as  well 
from  the  grandeur  of  their  appearance,  as  from  their  anti- 
quity. At  the  inn  where  we  stopped  every  thing  was  in 
this  character.  The  spirit  of  departed  greatness  seemed 
to  stalk  through  every  room ;  every  thing,  too,  looked  lar- 
ger than  things  in  modern  use.  In  a  parlour  on  the  ground 
floor  I  observed  a  harpsichord,  of  huge  size,  with  large 
clawed  guilt  feet  and  legs — the  windows  and  doors  were 
all  of  great  dimensions,  and  the  scenery  was  well  adapted 
for  that,  wild,  yet  captivating  species  of  romance  writing 
which,  from  Mrs.  RadclifFe's  pen,  produced  so  much  effect. 
In  Ghent,  too,  Charles  the  Fifth,  that  extraordinary  cha- 
racter, uniting  so  many  extremes  in  itself,  was  born  and 
often  resided.  This  gave  very  additional  interest  to  this 
grand,  though  desolate  town.  There  is  a  sort  of  pictur- 
esque of  the  mind  created,  or  at  least  aided  by  the  ima- 
gination, which  is  amazingly  heightened,  and  vivified,  by 
the  remembrance  of  a  great  departed  character ;  but  if,  in 
addition  to  the  qualities  ordinarily  exciting  admiration,  an 
incident  or  trait  of  character,  in  unison  with  all  the  scenery 
presenting  itself  to  the  senses,  is  recollected,  and  if  all  the 
impressions  be  of  the  melancholy  cast  in  a  peculiar  degree, 
nothing  is  wanting  to  make  the  effect  complete.  Who  does 
not  recollect  the  last  sad  scenes  of  Charles's  life  ?  Who 
can  view  without  commiseration  the  weakness,  and  de- 
plorable end  of  a  monarch,  whose  arms,  and  negotiations, 
had  pervaded  and  affected  three  quarters  of  the  globe  ? 
His  abdication  of  the  throne,  however,  never  inspired  me 
Yrith  respect.  Disgusted,  and  satiated  with  power,  Charles 
resigned  what  he  had  ceased  to  enjoy,  and  regretted  the 
loss  of  what  he  fancied  he  had  despised.  He  insured  no 
extension  of  happiness  to  his  people,  but  consigned  them 
to  his  son  with  indifference  for  tlieir  welfare,  and  with  all 


68 

the  pride  of  a  great  proprietor,  who,  Tin  the  transfer  h^ 
makes  of  his  possessions,  feels  a  display  of  his  own  power 
and  consequence.  Still  Charles  has  cliams  upon  our 
s)  mpathy,, — ^he  was  unfortunate — his  health  had  become 
wretched' — in  the  society  of  his  son  he  had  no  pleasure — 
his  views  were  thwarted  by  his  brother— and  he  found 
himself  at  length  in  the  decline  of  life  with  few  or  no 
friends— neglected,  unhappy,  and  alone  in  a  mercenary 
world.  His  religion  tinctured  by  the  gloomy  ideas  of  a 
wounded  mind,  did  not  afford  him  the  consolation  he  had 
fondly  expected.  His  great  mistake  was  in  supposing 
that  he  could  be  happy  without  occupation,  or  that  the 
calm  pursuits  of  secluded  life  could  be  enjoyed  by  a  mind 
constituted  and  fashioned  like  his. 

Had  Charles  reserved  these  parts  of  Flanders  and 
Ghent  to  himself,  and  employed  his  time  in  the  active  im- 
provements of  agriculture  and  manufacture,  he  would  have 
been  less  miserable  ;  but,  unfortunately,  his  health,  already 
much  broken,  was  rendered  worse  by  the  moist  and  change- 
able climate  of  these  countries.  Perhaps,  even  such  oc- 
cupation would  have  been  insipid  to  a  restless  mind,  and 
in  every  situation  the  conclusion  of  Charles's  life  would 
have  taught  us  how  vain  is  the  idea  that  happiness  is  en- 
joyed by  those  who  possess  supreme  power,  and  all  its 
attendant  perplexities.  The  intrusion  of  these  reflections 
may,  perhaps,  be  more  readily  pardoned,  when  it  is  con- 
sidered of  how  different  a  character  was  the  truly  great 
man  with  whom  I  was  then  travelling.  Mr.  Fox,  of 
transcendant  abilities,  and  of  a  far  superior  tone  of  mind 
to  Charles  the  5th,  possessed  all  those  qualities  which  fit- 
ted him  to  enjoy  a  rural  and  philosophical  life.  Filled 
with  no  insatiable  desire  to  dictate  to  others,  but  well  ap- 
preciating the  emptiness  of  rank  and  power,  he  rested 
alone,  with  full  satisfaction,  on  the  enjoyments  of  friend- 
ship, oi  literature,  and  of  the  country.  Thus,  what  made 
other  great  men  miserable,  made  him  happy.  Retirement 
Was  his  season  of  joy.     The  lovely  volume  of  nature,  and 


its  best  transcript,  true  piety,  were  then  his  solace,  and 
never-failing  sources  of  delight.  Charles,  in  his  monas- 
tery, and  Fox,  at  St.  Anne's  Hill,  were  contrasts  of  the 
most  striking  nature.  The  one  solitary,  gloomy,  and 
trifling,  almost  nauseating  the  existence  conferred  by  his 
Creator,  and  chagrined  at  neglect  which  he  ought  to  have 
expected  and  despised  :  the  other  the  most  affectionate  of 
men,  happy  in  his  domestic  circle,  even  improving  his 
great  capacity,  by  converse  with  every  thing  of  departed 
genius— anxious  for  the  welfare  of  his  country,  and  of  the 
world — thankful  for  every  blessing  of  life,  contented  with 
a  little — delighting  in,  and  truly  enjoying  rural  life — and 
totally  unruffled  by  the  ingratitude  or  neglect  of  man, 
whose  opinions  he  disdained  to  consider  worth  a  moment's 
thought.  In  fact,  it  is  retirement  which  is  the  test  of  a 
truly  great  mind  ;  and  I  may  venture  to  assert,  that  none 
can  deny  that  Mr.  Fox  bore  it,  and  enjoyed  it,  in  a  man- 
ner nothing  inferior  to  the  highest  characters  of  antiquity  ; 
and  I  can  certainly  testify,  that  no  man  could  have  less 
impatience  for  busy  life,  no  man  was  more  entirely  or  un- 
affectedly happy  at  home. 

The  place  d'armes  in  Ghent  is  handsome  :  the  cathe- 
dral is  grand,  and  ornamented  ^'^  profusion  ;  though  as  its 
best  pictures  had  been  taken  away  by  the  French,  there 
was  a  great  deficiency  in  some  parts  of  it.  The  abbey  of 
St.  Peter,  a  ci-devant  church,  was  converted  into  a  school 
of  painting :  we  saw  many  pictures  there,  but  no  good 
ones.  We  visited  at  Ghent,  a  very  interesting  and  excel- 
lent establishment— the  residence  of  the  Beguines.  These 
are  religious  females,  about  six  hundred  in  number,  who 
live  very  happily  and  respectably,  and  do  every  charitable 
office  they  can  in  the  town.  Their  residence  consists  of 
a  sort  of  square,  and  in  its  centre  they  have  a  very  neat 
and  handsome  small  church.  Each  Beguine  ha^  two  neat 
apartments,  and  in  general  they  live  separately.  I  have 
seldom  seen  any  thing  more  pleasing  than  this  select  reli- 
gious establishment.     The  women  were  drest  with  great 


70 

plainness  and  neatness  ;  they  seemed  cheerful,  obliging, 
and  respectable  to  a  great  degree ;  were  of  the  middle 
class,  and  in  most  of  their  apartments  birds,  flowers,  and 
works  of  a  tasteful  kind  were  seen.  I  think,  that  in  pro- 
testant  countries  there  is  a  strong  and  unjust  prejudice 
against  such  societies.  What  bond  is  so  good  to  regulate, 
to  unite,  and  to  harmonize,  as  the  christian  religion  ?  and 
if  individuals  choose  to  live  a  retired  and  tranquil  life, 
suitable  to  their  taste  and  character, — called  for  by  past 
misfortunes,  or  rendered  necessary  for  economical  purpo- 
ses, what  unprejudiced  person  can  refuse  them  respect'and 
esteem  ?  I  was  very  much  gratified  at  beholding  so  many 
amiable  and  happy  females,  whose  countenances  spoke 
tranquillity  and  benevolence,  and  whose  little  mansions 
were  the  abodes  of  peace,  comfort  and  decency.  At 
Ghent  the  municipal  officers  waited  on  Mn  Fox,  with 
every  demonstration  of  respect. 

On  his  remarking  to  the  prefect,  that  the  farms  near 
Ghent  looked  rich  and  beautiful,  he  observed,  that  the 
soil  was  not  naturally  good,  ^''  tout  est  fait  ^^^  said  he,  "/jar 
Vindusti'ie^  et  la  patience  de  Vhomme^'^  for,  he  added  that 
almost  all  the  soil  was  literally  carried  to  these  farms. 
This  was  certainly  not  only  a  proof  of  industry,  but  also  of 
that  great  attention  to  agriculture,  which  has  so  long,  and 
justly,  distinguished  Flanders. 

Ghent  itself  is  a  grand  and  affecting  morfument  of  the 
great  prosperity  of  this  once  independent,  and  most  re- 
spectable people.  This  ancient  capital  of  the  Netherlands, 
having  lost  its  manufactures  has  fallen  into  melancholy 
decay,  but  it  manifests  what  a  great  agricultural  country, 
with  a  due  proportion  of  internal  manufactures,  may  do 
independent,  or  nearly  independent,  of  foreign  trade.  I 
contemplated  this  respectable  remain  of  Flemish  grandeur 
with  reverence  and  pity.  I  reviewed  the  long  line 
of  honest  and  patriotic  characters  who  had  once  resided 
in  it,  and  whose  dust  now  slept  within  its  walls ;  men,  who 


71 

from  the  time  of  the  Romans,  under  Charlemagne,  under 
the  houses  of  Burgundy  and  Austria,  had  maintained  the 
^dignity  of  man,  and  his  rights,  both  civil  and  religious; 
who  had  not  been  ambitious  of  conquest,  but,  satisfied  with 
liberty,  and  solid  comfort,  had  promoted  the  cultivation  of 
a  fertile  and  noble  country,  and  derived  their  own  wealth 
and  happiness  chiefly  from  that  legitimate  source  of  pros- 
perity ;  who  had  lived  contented  with  solid  good,  and  de- 
spised external  show,  and  empty  fame ;  who  had  yielded 
just  obedience  to  government,  but  resisted,  steadily  and 
courageously,  all  innovation  and  oppression.  We  paid  to 
the  manes  of  these  patriots  the  sincere  and  warm  homage 
of  a  heart  attached  to  liberty,  and  little  inclined  to  worship 
thrones,  or  languish  in  servile  dependence  upon  ministers  ! 
Ghent,  in  the  year  1802,  w^as  reviving  in  a  small  degree, 
and  may  recover  some  portion  of  its  former  grandeur : 
hut,  as  it  no  longer  possesses  the  constitution,  under  which 
it,  and  the  surrounding  country,  flourished  for  ages,  a  full 
restoration  of  its  prosperity  can  never  be  expected,  and, 
perhaps,  the  great  progress  of  other  countries  in  agricul- 
ture and  manufactures  would  forbid  its  ever  attaining  so 
great  opulence  in  modern  times. 

Leaving  Ghent  on  the  day  after  our  arrival  there,  we 
travelled  through  a  continuation  of  the  same  rich  and 
noble  country  as  we  had  before  seen.  Every  thing  was  in 
unison ;  farms,  houses,  cattle,  harvest,  a  respectable  and 
well-clad  race  of  people,  and  no  miserable  mansion,  no 
w^retched  family  to  distress  the  feelings,  or  shock  the  eye  * 

We  found  this  day  very  hot ;  and  as  we  were  obliged 
to  draw  the  blinds,  Joseph  Andrews  was  i«esumed,  and,  in 
the  course  of  our  day's  journey,  finished.  Towards  even- 
ing we  came  in  view  of  Antwerp.  Entering  a  flat  and 
uninteresting  country,  we  now  bid  farewell  to  that  glorious 
scene  which  had  so  much  and  so  long  enchanted;  where 
agriculture  had  showered  down  all  her  gifts,  seconded  by 
nature,  and  the  long-enjoyed  independence  of  the  country. 


4 


72 

We  had  passed  through  the  finest  part  of  Flanders,  in  the 
time  of  harvest,  and  had,  of  course,  seen  it  to  the  greatest 
advantage.  The  luxuriance  and  abundance  were  astonish- 
ing ;  immense  fields  of  wheat,  barley,  and  oats  ;  tracts  of 
potatoes,  flax,  hemp,  beans,  peas,  and  coleseed  :  some  hops, 
fine  clover,  buckwheat,  and  madder,  formed  the  principal 
crops,  all  good  and  perfectly  clean.  In  some  parts  good 
hedges,  and  a  good  deal  of  timber,  w^ere  to  be  observed. 
Above  all,  and  it  cannot  be  too  much  dwelt  upon,  when  it 
is  considered  of  what  it  was  the  result,  a  numerous  and 
happy  population !  And  all  this  fine  country  acquired  by 
France ;  this  vast  acquisition  of  strength  to  her  empire, 
conferred  on  her  by  the  blunders,  and  the  blind  fury  of 
the  allied  powers.  No  consequence  of  the  fatal  system 
of  threatening  the  very  existence  of  France,  as  a  nation, 
among  many  lamentable  ones,  has  been  more  injurious 
than  that  of  the  annexation  of  the  Netherlands  to  that 
power.  The  fertility  of  the  soil,  and  excellence  of  its 
agriculture  ;  the  value  of  an  orderly  domestic  people  as 
good  subjects :  the  convenience  of  its  situation,  as  well  as 
the  diminution  of  power,  in  the  state  which  had  so  long 
governed  it,  all  contributed  to  make  this  acquisition  the 
most  desirable  to  France,  and  far  preferable  to  distant 
conquests  of  treble  the  territory.  The  secretary  of  the 
Portuguese  minister  informed  us,  too,  that  the  country 
along  the  Rhine  about  Coblentz  was  nothing  inferior,  in 
riches,  population,  and  agriculture,  to  that  which  we  had 
seen. 

It  is  not  very  surprising  that  France,  thus  early  strength- 
ened and  enriched,  made  so  formidable  a  figure  against 
the  allies ;  subsequently,  too,  she  fought  upon  their  terri- 
tories, thus  growing  richer  and  more  warlike  in  every  bat- 
tle, whilst  they  carried  on  a  war  at  an  immense  expense, 
without  any  definable  or  tangible  object.  Since  we  left  Cas- 
sel,  we  found  the  weather  extremely  hot ;  but  as  it  was  very 
advantageous  for  the  harvest  of  the  good  and  iwiustrious 


73  ^ 

Flemings,  we  did  not  repine  :  in  general  the  climate  re- 
aembles  that  of  England. 

The  evening  fell  fast,  and  night  approached  as  we  ar- 
rived on  the  banks  of  the  Scheld,  opposite  Antwerp.  The 
moon  had  risen,  and  as  the  river  is  nearly  a  mile  broad 
here,  the  town  formed  a  fine  appearance  on  the  opposite 
shore.  Our  passage  was  very  pleasing.  The  lofty  build- 
ings and  spires  of  Antwerp  seemed  to  rise  from  the  wa- 
ters. The  waters  trembled  as  they  lightly  swelled  beneath 
the  placid  moon.  I  got  to  the  head  of  the  boat,  and  gave 
myself  up  to  a  crowd  of  thoughts.  The  great  city  we 
were  approaching  had  undergone  the  several  vicissitudes 
of  fortune,  and,  depending  totally  upon  external  commerce, 
had  sunk  under  its  loss.  I  shall  see  another  great  town, 
thought  I !  another  memorial  of  the  fallacy  of  human 
grandeur !  I  shall  see  the  remains  of  human  industry  and 
power  !  The  boat  stole  across  the  river,  and  at  nine  o'clock 
we  landed.  The  gates  were  shut,  and  we  found  a  slight 
difficulty  in  getting  admittance,  which  was  soon  obviated. 
The  next  morning,  much  as  I  had  admired  the  respectable 
and  grand  appearance  of  Ghent,  I  was  filled  with  astonish- 
ment at  the  superb  streets  and  houses,  which  offered  them- 
selves to  my  eyes;  both  were  in  just  proportion  to  each 
other — the  streets  wide  and  very  long,  and  the  houses  hav- 
ing, in  the  best  parts  of  the  town,  the  air  of  palaces.  The 
folding  doors  and  large  windows,  the  lofty  and  antique 
air  of  these  mansions,  and  the  regularity  of  this  great  and 
dnce  most  populous  city,  were  very  imposing  to  English 
eyes. 

Antwerp  was,  however,  as  well  as  Ghent,  a  striking  ex- 
hibition of  fallen  grandeur.  The  streets  were  silent,  and 
grass  grew  in  many  parts  ;  the  busy  stir  of  man  was  want- 
ing to  animate  this  immense  collection  of  buildings :  no 
roll  of  carriages  manifested  the  opulence  and  luxury  of  the 
inhabitants,  the  sound  of  the  human  voice  was  little  heard, 
»nd  those  animals  attendant  on  man  were  not  seen.     Th^ 


74 

women,  wearing  long  pieces  of  black  stafF  thrown  round 
their  shoulders  as  a  scarf,  made  a  singular  appearance,  and 
Mr.  Fox  noticed  it  to  me  as  such,  and  intimated  that  it 
bad  always  been  the  dress  :  it  has  a  disagreeable  effect ; 
but  the  custom  has  its  origin,  doubtless,  from  a  long  pe-' 
riod  back.  As  the  Scheld,  however,  was  just  opened, 
there  were  some  symptoms  of  reviving  commerce,  and 
Antwerp  has,  most  probably,  ere  now,  assumed  a  lively- 
appearance  ;  although  it  will  require  a  long  time  to  restore 
the  population,  and  giv^e  energy  to  the  whole  mass  of  this 
deserted  but  magnificent  city.  The  municipal  officers 
waited  on  Mr.  Fox,  and  we  passed  the  day  very  agreeably 
in  seeing  every  thing  deserving  of  attention  at  Antwerp, 
but  these  are  too  well  known  to  require  full  enumeration. 
The  cathedral  is  very  fine.  We  saw  three  good  collec- 
tions of  pictures,  and  the  academy  of  paintings.  The 
French  carried  away  Reuben's  best  pictures  from  hence, 
but  two  very  fine  ones  have  been  returned.  We  did  not 
see  the  citadel,  which  we  understood  was  ia  a  good  state. 
The  idea  of  building  ships  and  restoring  the  French  ma» 
rine,  at  Antwerp,  though  in  its  infancy  when  we  rested 
there,  was,  however,  strong  and  prevalent. 

If  my  readers  can  pardon  the  introduction  of  trifles, 
and  my  classical  ones  imagine  the  delight  I  felt  at  reading- 
passages  of  the  iEneid  of  Virgil  with  Mr.  Fox,  they  will 
excuse  my  mention  of  another  little  course  of  reading  on 
this  short  tour,  on  account  of  the  valued  name  of  him,  un- 
happily for  the  world,  no  more.  I  had  begun  the  JKnQid 
at  St.  Anne's  Hill  previous  to  our  setting  out,  and  had  ad- 
vanced  a  good  way  in  it  before  we  set  off.  I  continued 
my  reading  as  opportunity  allowed,  and  Mr.  Fox  never 
received  greater  pleasure  than  when  I  ventured  to  point 
out  passages  which  pleased  me.  Of  Virgil's  iEneid  he 
was  a  true  admirer;  and  the  tincture  of  melancholy  which 
he  thought  ran  through  his  work,  was  by  no  means  dis- 
pleasing to  him.  At  Antwerp  we  finished  the  8th  book 
of  the    ^neid.      Of  all  the  passages   relating  to  Evander. 


75 

and  his  son,  Mr.  Fox  was  very  fond.  The  affectionate 
appeal  to  heaven  of  the  anxious  father  we  read  together 
with  mutual  interest. 

At  vos,  6  super!  et  divum  tu  maxlme  rector 
Jupiter,  Arcadii  quseso  raiserescite  regis, 
Et  patrias  audite  preces  :  si  numina  vestra 
Incolumem  Pallanta  mihi,  si  fata  reservant. 
Si  visurus  enin  vivo,  et  venturus  in  unum  ; 
A^'itam  oro  :  patiar  queravis  durare  laborem. 
Sin  aliquem  infandum  casura,  fortuna,  minaris  ; 
Nunc  6,  nuac  liceat,  crudelem  abrumpere  vitara, 
Dum  cui*£e  ambiguje,  dum  spes  incerta  futuri, 
Dum  te,  care  puer,  mea  sera  et  sola  voluptas, 
Complexu  tenco  ;    gravior  ne  nuntius  aure.s, 
Vulneret." 

This  passage,  and  the  fine  ending  of  the  8th  book^ 
charmed  some  of  our  moments  at  Antwerp ;  where,  as  we 
staid  an  entire  day,  and  it  was  extremely  hot,  I  got 
through  the  9th  book  of  the  iEneid  also,  having  the  same 
tind  and  enlightened  commentator  to  refer  to.  The  ini- 
mitable episodes  of  Nisus  and  Euryalus  gave  us  great  and 
renewed  pleasure.  The  melancholy  lamentation  of  the 
mother  of  Euryalus,  I  have  before  me,  marked  as  it  was 
tead  at  Antwerp. 

"*  Hunc  ego  te,  Euryale,  aspicio  ?  tunc  ilia  senectK 
Sera  mess  requies  potuisli  linquere  solam, 
Crudeiis  ?  nec  te,  sub  tanta  pericula  missura, 
Affari  extremum  miserse  data  copia  matri  ? 
ileu  terra  ignota  canibus  data  prceda  Latinis 
Alitiljusque  jaces  !  nec  te  tua  funera  mater 

Produxi  pressive  oculos,  aut  vulneralavi, 
Veste  tegens  ;  tibi  quam  noctes  festina  diesque 

TJrgebam,  et  tela  curas  solabar  aniles. 
Quo  sequar  ?  aut  quae  nunc  artusavulsaque  membra 
Et  funus  lacerum  tellus  habet  ?  hoc  mihi  de  te. 
Nates  refer  ?  hoc  sum  terraque  marique  secuta  ? 
Figite  me,  si  qua  est  pietas  :  in  me  omnia  tela 
Conjicite,  6  Rululi !  me  priraam  absumite  feiTO. 

Aut  tu,  magne  pater  divum,  miserere,  tuoque 
Invisum  hoc  detrude  caput  sub  I'artara  telo  : 

Quandoatiter  nequeo  crudelem -abrumpere  vklam.'* 


76 

The  tenderness  of  Mr.  Fox's  heart  manifested  itself  by 
his  always  dwelling,  in  poetry,  with  peculiar  pleasure  upon 
domestic  and  affecting  traits  of  character^  when  happily 
pourtrayed  by  the  author.  The  choice  I  had  made  of  the 
^neid  proved  most  gratifying  to  myself,  and  was  agreea- 
ble to  Mr.  Fox.  Perhaps,  when  the  malevolent  and  igno- 
rant supposed  this  great  man  preparing  to  pay  his  court 
to  the  first  consul  of  France,  he  was  then  with  genuine 
feeling,  examining  some  beauty  in  the  iEneid,  and  adding 
to  its  lustre  by  his  own  remarks.  One  cannot  forget 
such  things,  where  such  a  man  was  an  actor.  Antwerp 
remains  impressed  on  my  memory ;  but  it  is  Antwerp  with 
Mr.  Fox  in  it,  dilating  with  warmth  upon  the  amiable  and 
engaging  character  of  Evander,  enjoying  Virgil  with  all 
the  warmth  of  a  young  ingenuous  mind,  and  not  disdain- 
ing to  listen  to  the  opinions,  and  to  enter  indulgently  into 
the  feelings  of  one,  every  way  his  inferior,  and  far  remov- 
ed in  regard  both  to  age  and  rank. 

My  readers  will,  in  the  concluding  pages  of  this  work, 
observe,  that  this  classical  taste,  and  fondness  for  the  ten- 
der parts  of  the  ^neid,  endured  to  the  closing  moments 
of  Mr.  Fox's  life.  In  all  this  kind  of  devotion  to  poetry, 
in  him,  there  was  not  a  glimpse  of  vanity  perceptible,  al- 
though his  memory  and  discrimination  had  made  him  mas- 
ter of  all  the  best  of  the  ancient  and  modern  poets,  so  as  to  be 
superior  to  most  men  in  conversing  upon,  and  examining 
their  merits  ;  yet  he  would  sometimes  appear  to  be  in- 
structed, and  listen  with  satisfaction  to  remarks  of  little 
value  !  The  subject  he  liked  at  all  times,  and  if  it  were 
not  treated  with  much  ability  or  knowledge,  still  he  re- 
spected the  wish  in  another  to  understand,  and  discover 
the  beauties  of  those  charming  poets,  whose  works  afford 
so  rich  a  source  of  amusement  and  improvement  to  man- 
kind. Where  there  was  but  a  latent  gem  of  taste,  Mr, 
Fox  loved  to  encourage  and  to  foster  it,  by  example  and 
approbation,  into  growth  and  expansion.  The  heart- 
rending tale  of  Nisus  and  Euryalus,  obliterated,  in  no  dis- 


77 

agreeable  manner,  the  reflections  I  had  been  making  upon 
the  past  and  present  state  of  Antwerp.  In  pointing  out 
to  Mr.  Fox  the  abandonment  of  the  mother  of  Euryalusto 
despair,  I  was  quite  gratified  to  find  that  he  admired  the 
passage  as  I  did ;  and  I  was  not  at  all  ashamed  of  the 
tears  which  fell  for  the  fate  of  Euryalus,  and  my  forget- 
fulness  of  the  great  and  pompous  city  in  the  middle  of 
which  I  then  was. 

I  could  not,  however,  bid  adieu  to  Antwerp,  without  re- 
gretting that  this  beautiful  city  had  so  long  suffered  from 
the  policy  of  commercial  greediness.  If  I  mav  be  allowed  to 
designate  Ghent  as  the  inland  capital,  and  Antwerp  as  the 
maritime  one  of  the  old  Netherlands,  one  can  never  testify 
sufficient  admiration  at  these  stupendous  erections  of  a 
respectable  and  independent  people,  or  sufficient  regret  at 
their  degradation  and  decay  :  neither  possess,  now,  much 
more  than  a  quarter  of  their  ancient  population ;  and,  as 
independent  cities,  they  are  never  destined  to  rise  again. 
Such  are  the  vicissitudes  of  states,  and  small  ones  more 
especially  are  liable  to  great  and  improbable  changes. 

As  we  descended  the  stair-case  of  our  lofty,  and  princely 
inn,  I  closed  the  iEneid,  and  we  proceeded  on  our  journey 
towards  Holland.  We  now  travelled  through  a  flat  and 
disagreeable  country  :  the  golden  plains  of  Austrian  Flan- 
ders no  longer  \7aved  before  us  \  and  as  we  advanced,  the 
way  became  less  and  less  pleasing.  Every  thing  was  now 
quickly  growing  Dutch;  the  dress  of  the  people,  the  dull 
flatness  of  the  country,  announced  a  great  change.  It  was 
curious,  nevertheless,  to  hear,  as  we  did,  from  our  posti- 
lions, that  we  were  still,  though  a  considerable  way  beyond 
Antwerp,  in  the  territory  of  France  I 

This  enormous  extension  of  territory  could  not  fail  to 
surprise,  because,  however  well  things  are  understood 
upon  paper,  if  we  are  inclined  to  diminish  an  evil,  or  to 
deny  its  existence,  we  delude  our  minds  into  an  oblivion 


78 

of  circumstances  and  facts,  and  often  proceed,  by  new  er- 
rors, to  wipe  away  the  stinging  remembrance  of  former 
cfnes.  But  France  stretching  beyond  Antwerp- — the  inde- 
pendence of  Holland  become  a  vain  and  illusory  idea, — ■ 
such  melancholy  knowledge  forced  upon  one  with  ocular 
demonstration — was  proof,  presented  to  English  eyes,  of 
the  extent  and  existence  of  an  evil,  now  irreparable,  and 
which  no  ministerial  declamation  can  palliate  or  cure.  Mr. 
Fox  himself  could  not  refrain  from  a  smile,  and  his  look 
was  not  a  little  expressive,  when,  beyond  Antwerp,  we 
were  told  it  was  still  France.  However  he  might  regret 
the  vast  increase  of  French  territory,  his  conscience  was, 
at  least,  free  from  all  weight :  he  had,  in  no  manner,  been 
accessary  in  goading  on  France  to  madness,  and  in  in- 
flaming her  with  the  retaliating  spirit  of  conquest.  His 
simple  and  early,  though  much  condemned  proposal  of  ac- 
knowledging the  French  republic,  if  acceded  to,  in  the 
British  parliament,  would  most  probably  have  prevented 
not  only  the  annexation  of  Belgium  to  France,  but  secured 
the  integrity  and  independence  of  Holland,  and  had  saved 
other  states,  which  have  since  fallen,  and  confined  France 
to  her  ancient  boundaries,  instead  of  her  becoming  a  great 
military  empire,  consolidating  itself  every  year  of  war,  and 
still  threatening  Europe,  whether  that  war  continues,  or 
peace  intervenes. 

Mr.  Fox  would  have  allowed  that  political  effervescence, 
which  agitated  France,  time  to  evaporate,  and  paying  due 
respect  to  the  feelings  of  a  great  nation,  would  wisely  have 
abstained  from  exasperating  them,  at  the  critical  moment 
of  its  regeneration. 

We  entered  Dutch  Brabant  on  leaving  the  French  ter- 
ritory. The  roads  became  heavy  and  sandy,  and  the  coun- 
try quite  uninteresting.  We  now  ,  had  recourse  to  Tom 
Jones,  and  I  read  a  great  deal  of  that  excellent  work  aloud 
on  our  way  to  Breda.  Mr.  Fox  enjoyed  it  very  much. 
Few  works,  indeed,  have  more  original  merit;   and  aU 


79 

though  there  may  be  coarseness  and  indelicacy  in  some 
parts,  which  Fielding's  cast  of  genius  is  rather  too  much 
inclined  to,  yet  his  faithful  painting  from  nature  always 
gives  new  and   increasing  pleasure.      Certainly  we  were 
much    indebted    to    him     during   oar    fatiguing  journey, 
through  the  sands  on  the  way  to  Breda,  where  at  night, 
we   were   extremely   glad  to  arrive,  as  the  day's  journey 
had   been  less  agreeable  by  much  than  any  since  we  had 
left  Calais.      We  rested  at  a  remarkably  comfortable  and 
good  inn,  where  a  neat  supper,  and  some  well-made  pan- 
cakes refreshed  our  happy  little  party.      Breda  is  a  hand- 
some  town :    the  gardens,   attached  to  a  chateau  of  the 
prince  of  Orange,   are  pretty ;  the  ramparts  and  fortifica- 
tions are  in  perfect  repair.      The  church  is  large  and  plain, 
but  contains  a  fine  monument  of  count  Engelbert,  by  Mi- 
chael Angelo.     The  count  is  represented   as  having  died 
of  a  consumption,  and  that  fatal  disorder  is  admirably,  and 
but  too  faithfully,  delineated  by  a  great  master's  hand.    It 
is   a  chef  d''ceuvre  in  its  way,  but  as  such  a  work  could 
only  excite   anguish  and  pain   in  the  breasts  of  relatives, 
and  horror  in  ordinary  spectators,    I   cannot   applaud   the 
idea,  although  this  direful  spectacle  extorted  from  me  much 
admiration  for  its  execution,      Tne  church  itself  looked 
cold  and  cheerless,  and  had  neither  pictures  aor  ornaments 
of  any  kind.      This  of  itself  denoted  a  different  religion 
from  that  of  the  Flemings.      The  calvinist  being  the  pre- 
vailing one  in  Holland,  we  were  here  first  apprized  of  the 
variation  at  Breda,  from  the  Roman  catholic  worship  of 
the  Flemings.      Without  pronouncing  upon  the  long-con- 
tested points  between  the  ancient  catholic,  and  the  modern 
or  reformed  religion,   I  cannot  help  expressing  the  idea 
that  ornament,  and  the  line  productions  of  the  pencil,  have 
a  pleasing  and  natural  elTect  in  places  of  worship,  where 
human  beings  adore  their  Creator.      It  is  a  tribute  of  re- 
spect and  affection  to  the  deity,  raises  the  mind,  and  fre- 
quently recalls  it  to  sacred  things.     The  church  at  Breda 
was  large,  but  looked  so  naked  and  melancholy,  that  I  was 
glad  when  we  left  it;  especially  as  the  noble  Michael  An- 
gelo's  sculpture  imparted  ideas  of  tfce  most  dismal  nature. 


m 


Breda  is  remarkable  as  the  residence  of  the  English 
exiled  monarch  Charles  II.  I  viewed  it  with  no  respect 
on  that  account.  Charles  is  one  of  the  instances  of  me© 
whom  adversity  may  render  cunning,  but  not  moderate 
and  good.  He  avoided  the  harsh  extremes  of  his  father, 
and  the  foolish  bigotry  of  his  brother,  but  his  principles 
were  worse  than  those  of  either.  His  agreeable,  and  it 
has  been  said,  captivating  manners,  rendered  him  a  mor» 
dangerous  enemy  to  the  rights  of  the  people.  The  amia- 
ble and  accomplished  gentleman  was  thought  incapable  of 
deep  designs,  and  his  love  of  pleasure  led  him  to  be  ima- 
gined the  gay  friend  of  cheerfulness  and  conviviality  in  so- 
ciety, and  averse  to  cruelty  and  severity.  His  reign  was, 
however,  more  dangerous  to  liberty,  as  well  as  to  morals, 
than  that  of  any  other  since  the  constitution  had  assumed 
shape  and  consistency.  He  attacked  both  by  sap,  and  the 
mine,  and  had  he  lived  twenty  years  longer,  the  English 
nation  would  have  found  it  difficult  to  elude  his  arts,  and 
preserve  their  long-disputed  liberties.  The  deserted  gar- 
dens of  the  prince  of  Orange  (ci-devant  stadtholder)  gave 
me  another  lesson  on  the  fallacy  and  unsteadiness  of  human 
grandeur.  The  stadtholder,  in  residing  in  England,  had 
abandoned  his  high  station,  which  a  truly  great  man  would 
have  preserved,  or  fallen,  gloriously  resisting  the  incursion 
of  the  French.  Leaving  Breda,  we  soon  entered  Holland, 
having  crossed  some  small  rivers,  and  the  Maese,  a  fine 
and  broad  one.  Gorchum  is  a  pretty  little  Dutch  town, 
and  from  thence  to  Vienne  there  was  much  cultivation  of 
hemp.  Having  passed  the  Lech,  a  beautiful  river,  we 
began  to  approach   Utrecht. 

The  appearance  of  Holland,  tliat  creation  of  liberty, 
industry,  and  commerce,  though  a  flat  country,  and  quite 
destitute  of  the  picturesque,  is,  however,  most  pleasing  to 
any  person  of  reflection  and  benevolence.  Destitute  of 
almost  every  natural  advantage,  the  art  and  courage  of 
man  have  nearly  obviated  every  difficulty,  and  supplied 
?-very  want.     An  humble  and  contented  air  was  spread 


81 

thr6ugh  the  cottages  and  farms;  neatness  and  comfort 
reigned  in  them;  tranquillity  is  the  characteristic  of  a 
Dutchman's  residence,  and  his  enjoyment,  if  not  great,  is 
unalloyed. 

I  cannot  quite  accede  to  the  poet's  description  of 
Holland. 

'*  ludtistrimis  habits  in  each  bosom  reign, 

And  industry  begets  a  love  of  gain  ; 

Hence  all  the  good  from  opulence  that  springs. 

With  all  those  ills  superfluous  treasure  brings. 

Are  here  displayed.    Their  much-loved  wealth  imparts 

Convenience,  plenty,  elegance,  and  arts ; 

But  vie^o  them  closer,  craft  and  fraud  appear. 

E'en  liberty  itself  is  bartered  here  !" 

Commerce,  when  carried  to  excess,  like  most  other 
pursuits  of  man,  becomes  pernicious,  and  productive  of 
ill  consequences;  particular  instances,  too,  of  avaricious 
and  unfeeling  characters  engaged  in  it,  may  lead  to  an 
unfavourable  opinion  of  commerce  itself;  but  if  any  one 
were  disposed  to  deny  its  amazingly  beneficial  effects,  he 
has  but  to  look  at  Holland  to  be  convinced  that  he  is 
wrong.  Without  it,  the  Dutch  could  not  have  achieved 
or  maintained  their  independence ;  they  did  not  possess 
fertile  land,  similar  to  their  neighbours,  nor  was  their 
population  great.  Industry  and  naval  pre-eminence  were 
the  only  pillars  upon  which  they  could  rest  securely,  and 
commerce  supplied  them. 

As  we  began  to  approach  the  city  of  Utrecht  by  a  noble 
canal,  a  new  scene  began  to  present  itself.  On  every  side, 
country-houses,  gardens,  and  pleasure-grounds,  not  infe- 
rior to  those  delightful  ones  which  for  so  many  miles  or- 
nament the  banks  of  the  Thames,  adorned  this  canal.  I 
was  pleasingly  surprised  to  behold  so  much  rural  elegance 
in  these  Dutch  villas.  Very  pretty  summer-houses,  be- 
longing to  each,  were  placed  on  the  edge  of  the  canal ; 
and  these  weye  the  favourite  places  for  the  families  to  en- 

L 


82 

joy  themselves  in  their  sedate  way.  Smoking,  cards,  and 
a  moderate  share  of  refreshment  and  drink,  gave  them  all 
they  seemed  to  desire.  We  heard  no  music.  The  clear 
and  almost  unruffled  water  of  the  canal  seemed  fearful  to 
disturb  the  general  calm.  Beautiful  and  lofty  trees  or- 
namented many  places,  yet  few  birds  were  heard  or  seen. 
It  almost  appeared  a  tranquillity  bordering  upon  stagna- 
tion ;  and  yet  it  was  a  rich  and  very  charming  scene.  I 
would  willingly  have  considered  these  retreats  as  the  re- 
wards of  long  and  patient  industry,  the  prize  of  toil  for 
independence,  or  the  aslyum  of  naval  heroes  enjoying  re- 
pose after  a  life  of  warfare  and  peril ;  but  the  changed  con- 
dition of  Holland  unpleasingly  obtruded  itself  upon  my 
mind ;  and  imagination,  yielding  to  reality,  was  forced  to 
view  these  noble  villas,  as  the  habitations  of  a  subjugated 
race  of  men*— rich,  perhaps,  but  no  longer  free- — indepen- 
dant  as  merchants,  but  as  citizens,  slaves  ! 

Utrecht  is  a  very  handsome,  large  town,  and  the  en- 
trance by  the  canal  very  noble.  We  found  it  extremely 
hot  in  the  boat,  which  is  the  only  objection  to  this  easy 
and  agreeable  mode  of  travelling  at  this  time  of  yean 
Tom  Jones  was  not  forgotten ;  and,  indeed,  a  book  is  pe- 
culiarlv  requisite  in  such  a  voyage,  and  in  such  scenery  : 
there  is  so  much  monotony  in  both,  that  in  a  warm  day, 
the  drowsy  god  would  assert  his  rights  in  a  very  irresisti- 
ble manner,  were  it  not  for  a  lively  and  entertaining  work. 
To  Tom  Jones  we  were  accordingly  very  grateful ;  and  I 
was  quite  willing  to  have  the  bloody  noses,  and  vulgar 
broils  introduced,  as  a  relief  to  the  surrounding  torpor. 
The  heat  became  so  great,  however,  that  we  were  very 
glad  to  arrive  at  the  inn  in  Utretcht.  The  approach  to 
this  town  is  very  noble;  the  surrounding  villas,  the  great 
beauty  of  the  canal,  whose  waters  are  as  clear  as  the  purest 
river,  and  the  air  of  riches  and  population,  make  it  worthy 
of  every  praise.  I  recollect  at  Utrecht  that,  as  Mr.  Fox 
was  not  quite  satisfied  about  the  direction  of  one  of  the 
principal  streets,  he  and  I  examined  th«  way,  although  it 


si 

was  late,  and  he  was  oppressed  by  the  heat  of  the  weather, 
and,  after  much  fatigue  in  walking,  we  ascertained  the  ter- 
mination of  the  street  which  had  started  the  doubt. 

What  is  trivial  would  in  most  cases  be  better  omitted ; 
but  at  that  time  I  was  struck  with  the  desire  evinced  by 
Mr.  Fox,  on  that  occasion,  of  acquiring  accurate  know- 
ledge, strongly  proved  at  the  expence  of  a  long  walk,  and 
in  weather  which  was  inconveniently  oppressive.  At  all 
times  I  observed  in  him  the  same  anxiety  to  ascertain,  and, 
though  in  general  his  observations  and  knowledge  made 
him  much  at  his  ease  upon  all  subjects,  yet  if  he  doubted^ 
he  never  relaxed  in  his  enquiries,  till  he  had  satisfied  him- 
self. He  manifested  more  pleasure  in  our  journe)^  through 
the  Netherlands  than  in  Holland.  In  the  former  the  agri- 
culture, the  country,  and  the  people,  pleased  him  highly: 
in  the  latter,  his  curiosity  was  more  gratified  than  his  taste. 

We  left  Utrecht  next  morning,  after  seeing  some  su- 
perb gardens  ornamented  with  a  profusion  of  grottos, 
busts,  statues,  and  shell  work,  and  pursued  our  way  by 
water  to  Amsterdam.  As  we  went  by  water,  and  the  day 
was  extremely  hot,  we  found  much  inconvenience  from  the 
weather.  Our  book  was  resumed,  and  the  natural  descrip- 
tions of  Fielding  again  enlivened  our  moments.  But 
the  whole  v/ay  from  Utrecht  to  Amsterdam,  country-hou- 
ses, and  gardens,  displayed  their  beauties  on  each  side. 
The  neighbourhood  of  a  great  capital  was  manifested  by 
the  number  of  villas  becoming  greater,  and  by  an  air  of 
animation  and  bustle  appearing  everywhere.  The  canal, 
too,  began  to  widen  very  much  :  different  small  canals 
poured  in  on  every  side;  the  water  grew  quite  alive  with 
boats,  and  the  spires,  and  lofty  buildings  of  Amsterdam, 
terminating  the  view  along  the  canal,  formed  a  grand  ap- 
pearance. I  never  beheld  a  more  pleasing  scene  :  every 
boat  was  managed  with  dexterity ;  the  various  produce  of 
the  farm  was  on  its  way   to  market ;   m.any  females  were 


84 


in  the  boats,  giving  that  charm  to  the  scene,  which  always 
heightens,  and  without  which  every  landscape  is  dull. 

Every  symptom  appeared  of  a  great  and  industrious 
population ;  and  from  what  we  saw  as  we  approached  this 
great  hive  of  human  industry,  we  were  prepared  to  expect 
an  extraordinary  spectacle  upon  our  arrival ;  nor  were  we 
disappointed.  Amsterdam  is  a  noble  and  populous  city, 
and  pre-eminent,  I  believe,  above  all  others,  for  the  gene- 
ral diffusion  of  employment,  and  the  total  absence  of  mise- 
ry or  want.  Here  is  the  triumph  of  man,  I  could  scarcely 
avoid  exclaiming ! — and  of  independent  man  ! — Of  men 
once  styled,  by  a  proud  and  unfeeling  court,  beggars  !  Li- 
berty, pursued  to  these  marshes,  raised  her  standard 
amidst  the  waters,  and,  defying  the  tyrant  who  threatened 
from  the  shores  of  Spain,  gave  safety  to  a  wretched  peo- 
ple, and  the  noble  city  of  Amsterdam  for  their  capital. 

I  could  not  have  imagined  a  more  perfect  scene  of  hu- 
man occupation  and  comfort ;  the  equality  of  station,  and 
the  competency  enjoyed  by  all,  afforded  that  true  idea  of 
social  perfection  which  theorists  have  written  and  talked 
so  much  of;  but  which  few  countries  have  realized  in 
modern  times.  The  distinctions  of  an  aristocratic  no- 
blesse, and  a  miserable  populace,  did  not  offend  the  eye. 
The  youth  who  studies,  and  the  man  who  thinks,  possess 
defective  notions  regarding  states,  and  forms  of  govern- 
ment, until  they  travel.  The  republics  of  Greece  and 
Rome  are  well  knowninhistory,  but  their  glories  and  their 
defects  are  no  more  to  be  discerned  by  the  eye  of  the 
vigilant  observer.  The  ruins  of  architecture  speak  their 
past  magnificence,  and  books  tell  us  of  their  excellencies ; 
but  the  living  volume  is  no  longer  open  to  our  perusal ! 
Their  grandeur  is  the  dream  of  past  days,  and  liberty  has 
fled  from  those  her  once  favourite  haunts.  Holland  still 
exhibits  the  features,  and  happy  effects  of  rational  repub- 
licanism. It  will  take  a  longtime  to  obliterate  them.  The 
form  and  movement  imparted   to  society,  so  congenial  to 


85 


the  dispositions  of  the  inhabitants,  will  long  endure.  A 
wise  government,  which  does  not  shock  their  prejudices, 
or  change  their  habits  and  municipal  regulations,  may  ex- 
tract from  them  essential  services. 

When  we  visited  Holland  in  1802,  French  dominion 
was  very  visible,  owing  to  the  introduction  of  a  French 
military  force  everywhere  ;  but  though  the  Dutch  grum- 
bled and  repined,  their  industry  was  not  impeded,  and  no 
partial  encouragement,  or  depression  of  sex  or  classes, 
created  any  of  that  most  intolerable  of  servitudes,  the  sub- 
mission of  a  large  portion  of  society  to  a  few  who  admi 
nistered  foreign  power  to  their  own  countrymen  !  It  would 
be  quite  superfluous  in  me  to  mention  the  magnificent  pile 
of  the  stadt-house,  and  several  fine  collections  of  pictures 
which  we  saw  at  Amsterdam.  The  bank  is  well  known, 
as  having  long  enjoyed  the  most  unbounded  and  well-me- 
rited confidence.  Where  the  treasures  cmce  deposited 
there  have  fled,  is  not  exactly  to  be  ascertained  ;  but,  like 
those  of  other  banks,  I  believe  they  no  longer  exist.  For 
a  long  time  that  admirable  institution  increased  the  powers 
of  the  Dutch  republic,  and  added  to  the  respect  paid  to  it 
by  other  nations.  Other  times,  and  other  modes  of 
finance  and  government,  have  succeeded ;  but  the  good 
old  times  of  confidence,  founded  upon  the  accumulation  of 
solid  treasures,  and  a  frugal  and  cautious  expenditure  of 
public  money,  have  departed  from  this  commercial  re- 
public. 

As  the  heat  was  excessive,  and  the  number  of  canals  in 
Amsterdam  are  disagreeable  in  the  middle  of  summer,  we 
stopt  but  one  night  in  that  city.  Its  population  is  estima- 
ted at  250,000.  A  pleasant  drive  along  the  road  to  Haar- 
lem, was  very  acceptable  after  the  heat  we  had  endured. 
We  had  intended  passing  into  North  Holland,  where  we 
were  informed  the  primitive  dress  and  manners  of  the  old 
inhabitants  were  still  preserved;   but  as  Mr.  Fox  desired 


86 


to  reach  Paris  without  more  delay  we  did  not  make  the 
excursion. 

I  had  now  travelled  through  the  Netherlands  to  Am- 
sterdam, with  Mr.  Fox,  and,  during  the  whole  period,  had 
never  perceived  a  shadow  of  irritation  or  gloom  upon  his 
temper.  Our  journey  had  been  every  way  delightful. 
The  variety  of  scenery,  through  which  we  had  passed,  the 
mixture  of  reading  and  conversation,  and  the  gratification 
of  travelling  with  such  a  character  as  Mr.  Fox,  produced 
a  state  of  mind  not  easily  conceivable  in  a  young  man  who, 
for  the  first  time,  had  been  abroad.  Best  and  most  bene- 
volent of  men !— do  I  trace  these  pages,  and  do  thy  cold 
remains  sleep  in  the  dust  ? — I  may  travel,  but  never  can 
the  charm  of  thy  conversation,  the  playfulness  and  origi- 
nality of  thy  remarks,  thy  happy  temper,  and  benign  dispo- 
sition, make  me  forget  objects  around,  for  the  most  fasci- 
nating purposes  of  contemplating  the  various  excellencies 
of  such  a  character  as  thine  !  The  world,  however  gay,  fresh 
novelties,  however  striking,  could  never  please  as  they  once 
did  !  Where  cculd  I  find  thy  friendly  remarks,  where  that 
tender  and  noble  heart,  which  made  every  step  agreeable, 
and  almost  compelled  me  to  forget  the  grand  elevation  of 
thy  character ;  the  great  inferiority  of  my  own  ? 

The  Netherlands  present  all  the  glories  of  agriculture 
to  the  pleased  traveller,  if  he  be  a  man  of  sensibility,  the 
most  gratifying  of  all  prospects, — an  industrious,  agricul- 
tural, and  contented  people,  all  enjoying  comfort  and 
peacefully  following  their  labours. — Holland  will  offer  to 
the  astonished  eye  an  industrious  and  immense  population, 
animating  a  flat  and  productive  country,  and,  by  their  won- 
derful industry  and  perseverance,  conquering  the  land 
from  the  all  powerful  sea,  preserving  their  acquisition, 
and,  in  spite  of  ambitious  neighbours  and  oppressive  taxa- 
tion, still  undestroyed, — and,  though  loaded  and  depressed^ 
still  respectable,  populous,  and  active. 


87 

But  those  eyes  which,  when  I  travelled  through  these 
countries,  were  opened  with  such  vivid  pleasure  to  con- 
template human  prosperity  and  happiness,  no  longer  beam 
with  life  !— These  countries  can  never  delight  me  as  they 
once  did.     Were  I  to  journey  through  them  again,  friend- 
ship would  assert  all  its  rights ;  I  should  seek  everywhere 
for  him  I  had  lost — I  should  call  upon  his  name — and  car- 
rying with  me  a  mournful  and  wounded   spirit,   I    should 
find  no  consolation  in    the  grandeur   of   cities — no  relief 
from  the  beauties  of  nature,  or  the  wonderful  works  of  in- 
dustrious man ! 

Our  journey  to  Haarlem  was  extremely  pleasant  along 
a  road  which  ran  by  the  banks  of  the  canal.  Dutch  tra- 
velling is  very  agreeable  for  summer,  and  the  horses  went 
at  a  good  pace.  Midway,  between  Amsterdam  and  Haar- 
lem ;  we  passed  a  very  narrow  neck  of  land,  having  the 
Haarlem  Meer  on  the  left,  and  the  Z'yow  on  the  right, 
and  drove  along  the  banks  of  another  canal,  till  we  arrived 
at  Haarlem.  This  is  a  large  and  handsome  town,  and,  as 
all  the  Dutch  towns  are,  is  neat,  comfortable,  well  built, 
and  well  paved.  They  are  all  clean,  and  there  is  nothing 
of  an  unpleasant  nature  in  any  to  be  seen.  The  church  is 
very  large,  and  the  famous  organ  is  worthy  of  every  tra- 
veller's attention.  The  number  of  stops  is  great,  and 
their  power,  diversity,  and  tone,  quite  astonishing. 

At  Haarlem  was  born  and  lived  Laurentius  Costar, 
the  supposed  inventor  of  printing.  We  were  informed 
that  specimens  of  his  interesting  and  noble  discovery,  were 
preserved  in  the  town-house ;  but  upon  inquiry  we  found 
that  the  person  in  whose  charge  they  were  was  absent. 
Mr.  Fox  manifested  a  very  great  anxiety  to  see  these 
specimens  of  an  infant  art,  which  had  conferred  such  sig- 
nal benefit  on  mankind  !  We  waited  a  considerable  time, 
walked  about,  sent  repeatedly,  and  were  as  often  disap- 
pointed. Mr.  Fox  very  unwillingly  (and  I  had  not  set-n 
him  more  interested  upon  the  whole  journey)  stepped  into 


88 


tke  boat  which  waited  to  convey  us  to  Leyden.  I  went 
myself  with  reluctance.  I  conceived  that  homage  was 
due  from  us  to  this  divine  invention,  and  that  the  sub- 
jects of  a  free  constitution  were  required,  above  all  others, 
to  reverence  and  respect  those  elementary  materials  of  the 
great  art,  the  parent  of  liberty  in  modern  times,  and  difFu- 
ser  of  all  those  works  of  genius  and  amusement,  which 
civilize  society,  and  add  so  much  to  domestic  pleasures. 
I  regretted  as  the  boat  moved  on,  that  we  had  not  remain- 
ed longer.  I  now  regret  it  more,  as  I  shall  never  look 
upon  these  precious  relics  in  the  presence  of  him  whose 
manly  efforts,  in  favour  of  liberty,  were  seconded  and  dif- 
fused so  powerfully  by  that  art  in  its  perfection,  which 
Costar  had  either  invented,  or  had  in  in  its  infancy  improv- 
ed and  advanced  ! 

Having  set  out  thus  disappointed,  we  glided  on,  through 
a  flat  and  poor-looking  country,  on  our  way  to  Leyden. 
I  perceived,  as  we  passed  on,  that  the  cows  were  all  black, 
or  black  and  white,  in  Holland,  without  exception ;  the 
horses  good  and  handsome;  but  the  pigs  of  a  most  miser- 
able appearance.  Of  sheep  we  saw  few,  and  those  we  did 
were  indifferent.  The  use  of  wooden  shoes  is  very  pre- 
valent. There  is  certainly  nothing  of  elegance  in  the  ge- 
neral appearance  of  the  Dutch ;  but  among  the  women 
there  is  much  neatness.  The  young  girls  are  very  fair, 
and  of  a  very  engaging  appearance ;  they  are  even  hand- 
some when  quite  young,  but  soon  lose  the  light  and  charm- 
ing air  of  youth,  and  their  beauty  degenerates  into  insipid 
fairness.  Nevertheless,  in  a  moral  and  physical  view, 
there  is  an  air  of  tranquillity  and  complacency,  through 
the  whole  landscape,  of  a  very  pleasing  nature.  The 
great  family  of  the  nation,  appears  united  and  affectionate. 
Parents  are  kind  and  gentle  to  their  children,  and  no  where 
did  I  observe  severity  used  to  them.  The  men  or  boys 
nurse  the  children,  too,  almost  as  much  as  the  women. 
The  excesses  of  passion,  the  loud  broil,  or  the  horrors  of 
intoxication,  do  not  disgrace  the  picture.     The  Dutch  fa- 


89 


niily  quietly  enjoy  that  regular  and  calm  happiness,  wiiich 
their  ancestors   have  bequeathed    to   them.      Order,  that 
first    blessing    of  society,  reigns  throughout.      If  they  do 
not  possess  all  the   more  elegant  or  exquisite  pleasures  of 
refined  life,  they  have  none  of  its  pains  or  anguish.  Hol- 
land is  not  the  country  for  a  poet,  or  for  a  person  fond  of 
sublime    or  picturesque    scenery  :   a  mind   of  sensibility 
would  here   languish  for  want  of  excitement,  and  for  ob- 
objects  of  admiration ;  but  rational,  moderate-minded  men, 
may  pass  a  very  easy  and  satisfactory  life.     The  duration, 
of  ease  and  exemption   from  any  thing  unpleasant,  would, 
perhaps,  compensate  for  the  absence  of  greater  joys.     At 
all  events,  Holland  is  a  happy   asylum  for  age.      It  suits 
that  period  of  life  in  an  eminent  degree ;  and  did  the  cli- 
mate favour  its  feebleness  or  ailments,  equally  as  its  pla- 
cid manners,  and  limited  pursuits,  Holland   would   be  a 
most  desirable  spot  in  which  to  rock  "  the  cradle  of  de- 
clining age." 

In  another  point  of  view,  it  is  a  highly  instructive 
scene — a  lesson  for  nations  who  are  oppressed,  and  a  guide 
to]  statesmen.  It  demonstrates,  that  the  people,  not  the 
soil,  constitute  the  wealth  of  nations.  It  has  been  proved 
in  Holland,  and  the  evidence  is  yet  before  us,  that  a  num- 
ber of  brave  men,  determined  to  be  free,  can  create  a 
country  for  themselves.  The  sweets  of  independence  im- 
part vigour  to  the  mind.  Home,  unmolested  by  tyrants, 
was  a  spot  which,  even  iu  the  marshes  of  Holland,  be- 
came endeared  to  its  possessor.  Free  men  daily  improv- 
ed it — fenced,  cultivated,  and  adorned  it,  until  this  little 
paradise  bloomed  on  their  labours,  and  gave  them  pleasure 
and  happiness,  as  it  before  had  yielded  them  safety.  A 
colony  of  men,  of  vigorous  and  independent  minds,  can, 
therefore,  at  any  time,  and  in  any  place,  constitute  a  free 
a.nd  happy  state ;  if  they  be  unanimously  determined  to 
obtain  independence  or  to  die.  The  Belgians  colonized 
the  marshes  of  Holland  ;  they  fought  with  invincible  cou- 
rage ;  and  they  laboiyred  with  equal  industry.   A  haughty 

M 


90 


court  could  not  justly  calculate  to  what  degree  such"  men 
could  carry  resistance.  It  estimated  them  as  common 
men,  without  grand  and  sublime  incentives,  and  it  was  baf- 
fled and  deceived.  The  vicinity  of  powerful  neighbours, 
the  disadvantages  of  nature,  and  the  smallness  of  their 
numbers,  did  not  daunt  them.  What  stronger  example 
can  be  afforded  of  the  truth  of  the  position  just  laid  down  ? 
and  who  is  there  that  would  not  prefer  dying  in  the 
marshes  of  such  a  country,  rather  than  languish  under 
despotism,  and  feebly  prolong  the  existence  of  a  slave  ? 

The  country  approaching  to  Leyden,  is  flat  and  poor- 
looking  land  :  as  we  advanced,  nothing  interesting  appear- 
ed, and  Tom  Jones  became  again  our  source  of  amuse- 
ment. The  animation  of  this  capital  v/ork  never  flags  : 
we  were  always  more  and  more  amused  by  it.  Every 
one  had  read  it  before,  but  every  one  enjoyed  it  more 
than  formerly.  I  do  not  know  but  the  reading  such  a 
work,  in  the  midst  of  sedateness  and  still  life,  gave  it  a 
greater  zest.  We  closed  it  reluctantly  on  entering  Ley- 
den. This  is  a  large  and  handsome  town,  though  appa- 
rently decaying:  it  is  intersected  with  canals,  and  the 
Rhine  runs  through  it.  The  front  of  the  town-house  is  of 
a  noble  appearance.  The  library  is  large  and  good,  and 
contains,  among  others,  a  goo4  portrait  of  Erasmus. 

As  we  turned  our  steps  towards  the  Hague,  our  tour 
through  Holland  drew  towards  a  termination.  The  ap- 
proach to  that  justly  celebrated  town  is  distinguished  by 
numerous  and  handsome  villas,  ornamenting  the  banks  of 
the  canal.  As  we  entered  the  Hague,  the  moon  lighted 
us  on  our  way,  and  the  quiet  waters  of  the  canal  murmur- 
ed as  we  glided  gently  along.  We  had  now  arrived  at 
the  once  celebrated  seat  of  government  in  Holland.  Of- 
ten had  it  been  the  focus  of  negotiations,  where  the  great- 
est characters  had  been  assembled,  and  the  voice  of  the 
united  states  then  ranked  with  that  of  kingdoms  and  em- 
pires.    The  illustrious  house  of  Orange,  (illustrious  as 


91 


long  as.  they  felt  and  fought  for  their  country  like  patriots 
and  brave  men)  long  had  held  here  its  merited  pre-emi- 
nence. 

The  Hague  was  also  rendered  interesting  by  the  long 
residence  of  sir  William  Temple.  That  able  statesman  has, 
perhaps,  been  exceeded  by  few  in  the  walks  of  public  or 
private  life.  Unable  to  stem  the  tide  of  baseness  in  the 
profligate  reign  of  Charles  the  II.  he  retired  very  early 
from  public  life,  carrying  with  him  the  esteem  of  a  sove- 
reign, who  venerated  the  man  whose  counsels  he  had  not 
virtue  enough  to  follow,  the  approbation  of  the  English 
nation,  the  respect  of  foreign  nations,  and  the  regard  of 
the  Hollanders.  Early  withdrawing  from  public  life,  he 
devoted  his  time  to  literature,  his  gardens,  and  his  family; 
and  left  behind  him  an  example  for  statesmen,  rarely  fol- 
lowed, but  ever  to  be  admired.  The  morning  succeeding 
our  arrival  at  the  Hague  gave  us  an  agreeable  surprise. 
That  village,  as  it  is  called,  but  much  rather  that  beauti- 
ful town,  strikes  the  traveller's  eye  in  Holland,  in  a  most 
ngreeable  manner.  It  is  elegant  and  airy,  although  in  a 
flat  country ;  the  trees,  the  houses,  and  canals,  have  all  a 
light  effect,  and  one  sees  evident  marks  of  this  place  having 
been  the  residence  of  people  of  rank,  taste,  and  elegance. 
A  noble  wood,  of  fine  beech  and  oak  trees,  skirts  the 
town.  It  is  here  of  peculiar  beauty,  nature  being  little  con- 
trolled, or  moulded  in  any  part  of  it,  and  the  trees  being 
of  good  size,  very  much  heightens  and  enhances  its  beau- 
ties. Wood  is  the  only  thing  in  Holland  which  interposes 
itself  to  relieve  the  universal  monotony  of  level  ground, 
canals,  and  towns.  The  drive  through  it  to  the  Maison 
de  Bois  is  very  charming.  That  palace,  which  belonged 
to  the  house  of  Orange,  is  not  remarkable  for  beauty  or 
situation.  It  was  in  very  good  order  and  contained  some 
good  pictures.  The  plainness  and  moderation  of  this  pa- 
lace, formerly  inhabited  by  the  head  of  the  government, 
suited  the  character  of  the  nation.  The  brother  of  the 
French  emperor  had  not  then  possessed  it.     It  was  silent 


92 


and  dull*  We  left  it  to  drive  through  the  wood,  which^ 
with  its  natural  charms,  repaid  us  for  the  ennui  of  traver- 
sing through  empty  state  apartments. 

Mr.  Fox  was  very  much  pleased  with  the  Hague,  and 
with  this  wood,  which  received  admiration  from  us  all. 
We  looked  at  IMonsieur  Fagel's  place,  near  it,  which  is 
pretty,  though  a  little  out  of  order,  and  we  drove  to  Sche- 
veling,  on  the  sea  shore.  Great  numbers  of  large  boats 
were  arriving,  and  the  picture  was  a  lively  and  original 
one.  The  Dutch  seamen,  with  their  huge  boots,  seemed 
formed  to  live  in,  as  well  as  upon,  the  sea  ,•  and  when  they 
got  into  the  water,  to  get  out  their  fish,  and  pull  in  their 
boats,  they  appeared  in  their  proper  element.  It  is  a  long, 
sandy  beach,  at  Scheveling.  Here  the  stadtholder  embark- 
ed, when  he  fled.  I  believe  Holland  suffered  nothing  from 
his  abdication  ;  but  when  I  stood  on  the  shore,  I  could  not 
refrain  from  despising  the  man  who  flies  when  his  country 
is  in  danger,  unless  it  be  that  he  has  governed  it  ill,  and 
fears  the  just  resentment  of  his  countrymen;  in  which  case 
I  should  have  been  glad  to  have  assisted  him  into  his  boat. 
I  have  no  compassion  for  suffering  royalty,  where  its  own 
crimes  and  misdemeanours  bring  exile  or  flight  upon  its 
head.  Least  of  all  should  I  have  it  for  the  person  who  go- 
verned the  Dutch  ill :  a  people  so  orderly,  so  moral,  and 
regular  ;  whose  domestic  life  is  an  example  for  govern- 
ment, and,  if  followed,  must  ensure  success,  very  iitde 
deserved  to  be  mal-treated  by  any  sort  of  mal-adtninistra- 
tion,  whether  touching  affLiirs  at  home  or  abroad.  I  c_in- 
not  conceive  that  a  good  man  could  have  occasion  to  fly 
from  such  a  nation ;  if  a  bad  one  felt  that  it  was.  ex- 
pedient and  necessary  to  depart,  there  seemed  a^  ac- 
quittance between  both  parties,  and  the  head  of  govern 
ment,  to  obtain  a  reasonable  measure  of  lenity.  We  saw 
one  picture,  hov/evcr,  at  the  Hague,  which,  as  it  must  fill 
any  person  with  horror  who  views  it,  must  derogate  a 
good  deal  from  my  praises  of  Dutch  moderation  and  calm- 
ness—I allude  to  the  j/iassacre  of  the  De  V/itt«'.- 


9^ 

The  death  of  these  excellent  men,  and  true  patriots,  is 
but  too  faithfully  depicted  in  a  small  picture  at  the  Mai- 
son  de  Bois.  It  excited  great  disgust  in  Mr.  Fox,  and 
With  great  reason;  nor  can  I  now  allow  myself  to  particu- 
larize a  subject  which  yet  gives  me  pain.  Without  justi- 
fying the  mistaken  fury  of  the  populace  on  this  melancholy 
occasion,  one  can  only  say,  that  if  such  tremendous  excess 
can  be  at  all  paliated,  it  is  where  a  brave  and  free  people 
have  reabon  to  apprehend  an  insidious  attack  upon  their 
liberties.  Amongst  a  thousand  instances,  this  is  one  which 
deserves  notice,  of  Mr.  Fox's  admirable  force  of  mind, 
equally  reprobating  the  direful  rage  of  the  populace,  as  the 
vindictive  cruelty  of  a  tyrant.  It  was  quite  distressing  to 
him  to  speak  upon  the  catastrophe  of  the  De  Witts. 
His  countenance  was  full  of  horror  at  sight  of  the  memora- 
ble picture,  and  the  soul  of  the  sorrowing  patriot  spoke 
melancholy  things,  in  his  countenance,  at  the  moment. 
There  was,  in  truth,  nothing  more  remarkable  in  this  great 
man,  than  an  extreme  tenderness  of  nature,  which  powerful- 
ly impelled  him  to  abhor,  and  to  avoid,  every  thing  cruel 
and  sanguinary;  v/hilst  there  was  also  a  decision  and  gran- 
deur of  mind  in  him,  prompting  the  boldest  resolves,  and 
most  instantaneous  modes  of  action.  IMr.  Fox's  disposition 
taught  him  to  govern  at  home  with  parental  mildness,  and 
always  to  conciliate  and  encourage,  rather  than  terrify; 
his  genius  led  him  to  chuse  the  grandest  measures,  in  fo- 
reign politics,  and  to  make  war  short,  by  making  it  decided. 
How  can  one  forbear  adverting  to  the  senseless  clamour, 
and  malignant  calumnies,  which  for  a  long  time,  at  home, 
depicted  such  a  character  as  an  incendiary,  and  lover  cf 
tumult  and  insurrection  ?  How  active  v/as  the  system,  early 
established  in  this  reign,  to  represent  Mr.  Fox  as  a  need}' 
revolutionist,  who  would  smile  at  the  overthrow  of  the 
throne,  and  look,  with  indifference  upon  torrents  of  blood. 
How  lamentable  that  the  upholders  of  that  system  achieved 
their  purpose,  and  accomplished  their  mercenary  end  at 
the  expense  of  a  great  and  deluded  nation  !  How  much 
more  likelv  that  the\'  Vv^ould  have  eouallrd  the  furv  of  the 


94 


Hollanders  against  the  De  Witts,  if  their  spoils  had  been 
invaded,  than  that  the  mild  spirit  of  Fox  would  have  sanc- 
tioned insubordination,  or  looked  with  unconcern  upon 
blood  and  massacre.  We  spent  a  most  happy  day  at  the 
Hague.  The  weather  was  fine,  and  not  too  hot ;  the  wood, 
was  quite  captivating  to  us,  and  the  drive  to  Scheveling, 
between  rows  of  fine  trees,  very  agreeable.  Certainly, 
there  was  nothing  lively  at  the  Hague ;  and,  as  the  seat  of 
government,  it  was  changed  :  indeed  all  was  devoid  of  in- 
terest in  that  point;  and  I  apprehend  future  travellers 
must,  as  I  did,  recur  to  history,  and  appeal  to  their  own 
imaginations,  when  passing  through  Holland  hereafter,  to 
give  it  interest  to  their  minds ;  for  it  appears  to  have  sunk 
under  a  domination  too  powerful,  and  too  contiguous,  to 
escape  from.  The  want  of  political  objects,  I  was  able 
to  very  agreeably  supply,  by  continuing  my  reading  of  the 
^neid.  In  this  Mr.  Fox  joined  with  undiminished  plea- 
sure, and  here  we  read  the  10th  book  :  he  marked,  and  re- 
peated with  much  feeling,  more  than  once,  the  passage, 

Pallas,  Evander  in  ipsis 


Omnia  sunt  oculis,"  &c.  &c 

I  rather  think  that  the  characters  of  Evander  and  Pallas 
were  his  favourite  ones,  (although  I  must  include  that  of 
Dido.)  Whoever  reads  with  attention  the  8th  book  of  the 
iEneid,  I  mean  the  attention  of  a  man  of  feeling,  not  the 
cold  examination  of  a  poring  scholar,  will  allow  that  his 
partiality  was  very  justly  bestowed.  Nothing  can  be 
more  happily  conceived,  or  more  beautifully  described, 
than  the  entrance  of  Eneas  into  the  Tyber.  The  simpli- 
city and  dignity  of  Evander's  character,  with  great  reason., 
^tracted  Mr.  Fox's  attention;  his  manner  of  reply, 

"  Turn  sic  pauca  refert ;  Ut  te,  fortissime  Teucrum, 
Accipio  adgnoscoqfe  libens  !"  he.  &c. 

His  hospitality  so  generous  and  easy,  his  peculiar  frank- 
ness and  exemption  from  all  disguise,  naturally  pleased 
him. 


95 

There  is  nothing  more  elegant  than  the  complimentary 
invitation  of  Evander  to  Eneas,  where  he  alludes  to  Hejr- 
cules ;  nothing  more  worthy  a  great  mind. 

**  Aude,  hospes,  conteranere  opes:  et  te  quoqae  dignum 
Finge  deo,  rebusque  veni  non  asper  egenis.** 

The  description  of  Evander  arising  in  the  morning  is 
beautiful;  and  throughout,  his  exalted  and  unaffected 
character  is  the  same — how  natural  the  description, 

**  Evandrum  ex  humili  tecto  lux  suscitat  alma, 
Et  matutini  volucrum  sub  culmina  cautus. 
Consurgit  senior,"  &c.  SiC. 

But  it  is  as  a  father  that  he  is  above  all  things  admira- 
ble ;  after  informing  Eneas  of  the  allies  he  may  obtaii^ 
his  continuation, 

"  Hunc  tibi  prseterea  spes  et  solatia  nostri 
Pallanla  adjungara,  sub  te  tolerare  magistro 
Militiarn  et  grave  Martis  opus,  tua  cernere  facta 
Adsuescat,  primis  et  te  miretur  ab  annis," 

is  so  full  of  the  father,  and  the  old  warrior,  that  nothing 
can  be  better :  his  parting  prayer  I  have  quoted ;  and  his 
heart  must  be  formed  of  iron  materials,  who  does  not 
imagine  to  himself  the  old  man  carried  fainting  into  his 
mansion,  destined  never  more  to  behold  this  beloved  and 
only  son — who  does  not  give  a  sigh  for  the  sufferings  of 
this  venerable  man. 

Pallas  himself  is  very  interesting.  In  the  10th  boot, 
Virgil,  with  one  of  those  small,  but  fine  touches  of  nature, 
represents  him  close  to  Eneas,  on  board  ship. 

"  Hie  magnus  sedet  iEueas,  secunaque  volutat 
Eventus belli  varios ;  Pallasque  sinistro 
Affixus  laieri  jam  quserit  sidera,  opacse 
^^ocU3  iter ;  jam  qnse  passes  terrac^ue  m^iquej^^ 


S6 


His  shame  and  anger,  when  his  Arcadians  retreat, 
and  his  burning  valour,  place  him  in  a  very  natural  and  en- 
gaging point  of  view. 

"  Quo  fugitis,  Socii  ?  per  vos  et  fortia  facta, 
Per  ducis  Evandri  nomen,  devictaque  bella, 
Spiemque  meam,  patrirs  qure  nunc  subit  femula  laudi 
Fidite  ne  pedibus,  ferro  runipenda  per  hostes 
Est  via,  qua  globus  ille  virumdensissimus  urget." 

The  lamentation  of  the  Arcadians  bearing  Pallas  on  a 
shield,  is  melancholy  to  an  extraordinary  degree. 

"  O  dolor,  atque  decus  magnum  rediture  parenti ! 
Hsee  te  prima  dies  bello  dedit,  lijec  eadem  aufert  ; 
Cum  laraen  ingentes  Rutulorum  linquis  aeervos." 

It  is  then  that  the  poet  bursts  forth  in  the  passage  Mr. 
Vox  so  much  admired, 


-Pallas,  Evander,  in  ipsis. 


Omnia  sunt  oculis :  raensse,  quas  advena  primas 
Tunc  adiit,  dextrseque  datse.'* 

Nor,  I  believe,  is  there  any  more  happy  instances  than 
this  of  the  exercise  of  the  divine  art,  which,  presenting 
us  with  a  succession  of  living  pictures,  suddenly  recals 
the  past,  and  raises  up  before  us  the  images  we  have  al- 
most forgotten,  with  more  than  pristine  freshness.  AU 
the  hospitality,  the  candour,  and  the  affection  of  Evander, 
are  brought  forward — his  plighted  faith,  his  unbounded 
confidence  in  Eneas—- and  then  Pallas  lifeless — his  only 
comfort  in  age. 

Were  there  no  other,  this  passage  might,  will  immortal- 
ize Virgil  as  a  p.oet  of  genuine  feeling  and  taste. 

The  conclusion  of  the  10th  book,  the  death  of  Lausus, 
and  the  resistance  and  fall  of  Mezentius,  Mr.  Fox  did 
not  fail  very  much  to  admire.      If  I  may  venture  to  ex- 


97 

press  any  very  decided  opinion,  I  incline  to  think  that  the 
concluding  part  of  the  10th  book,  is  nothing  inferior  to  any 
part  of  the  jEneid.  The  author  has  introduced,  without 
the  least  repetition,  the  characters  of  another  father,  and 
another  son,  after  the  death  of  Pallas ;  the  last  hope  of 
Evander.  The  battle  episode  of  Mezentius  and  Lausus, 
is  of  the  highest  interest.  I  do  not  know  if  a  modem 
poet  of  much  celebrity  studied  the  part  of  Mezentius  at 
the  river,  but  I  think  it  incomparably  superior  to  the  mo- 
dern hero's  description.  I  cannot  deny  myself  the  satis- 
faction of  transcribing  it ;  and  if  I  appear  tedious  or  im- 
pertinent, let  it  be  recollected  with  xvhom  I  read  it ;  and 
let  me  be  forgiven  this  humble  and  grateful  remembrance 
of  happy  hours  no  more,  and  this  little  tribute^  not  to 
the  statesman  but  to  the  scholar  and  poe.t. 


"  Interea  genitor  Tyberini  ad  fluminis  undam 
Vulnero  siccabat  lymphis,  corpusque  levabat 
Arboris  adclinis  trunco.     Procul  terea  ramis 
DepenUet  galea,  et  prato  gravia  arma  quiescunt. 
Stant  lecti  circuni  juvenes :  ipse  seger,  anhelans 
Colla  fovet,  fusus  propexam  in  pectore  barbam  : 
[Multa  super  Lauso  rogitat,  multumque  remittit. 
Qui  revocent,  mustiquae  ferant  mandata  parentis. 
At  lausum  socii  exanimem  super  arma  ferebant 
Flentes,  ingentem,  atque  ingenti  vulnere  victum. 
Adgnovit  longe  gemitum  prsesaga  rnali  mens. 
Canitiem  multo  deformat  pulvere,  et  arabas 
Ad  cKlum  tendit  palmas,  et  corpore  inh»ret." 

In  making  the  death  of  a  tyrant  so  very  unhappy,  Vir,- 
gilhas  shewn  himself  an  enemy  to  oppression,  and  worthy 
the  name  of  Roman.  His  regret  for  injuring  his  son, 
heightens  his  consciousness  of  having  deserved  the  hatred 
of  his  subjects. 

*'  Idem  ego,  nate,  tuura  maculavi  crimine  nomen, 
Pulsus  ob  invidiam  solio  sceptrisque  pateniis. 
Debureram  patriie  pcenas.  odiisque  meonira  : 
Omnis  per  moites  aoiraam  sontem  ipse  dedissem.*' 


98 


Afraid,  too,    of   wanting  burial,    he  asks  it  from  his 
conqueror. 

"  Corpus  humo  natiare  tegi :  scio  acerba  meorum 
Circumstare  odia  :  hunc,  (oro)  defende  farorem.'* 

How  deplorable  this  end;   and  yet  how  justly  merited. 
— ^The  stories  of  Evander  and  Pallas,  of  Mezentius  and 
Lausus,  are  almost  equally  affecting  at  their  termination, 
though  different  in  their  nature.      Mr.  Fox  remarked  to 
me  on  our  journey  through  Flanders,  that  there  was  a 
tincture  of  melancholy  in  the  mind  of  Virgil,  which  shews 
itself  in  all  his  works.     We  prepared  to  leare  the  Hague 
with  reluctance.      It  had  pleased  us  all.      I  never  remem- 
ber Mr.  Fox  more  happy,  more  serene,  than  at  the  Hague. 
Whether  the  beauty  of  the  place,  association  of  ideas,  the 
pleasantness  of  the  weather,  or  the  addition  of  Virgil,  con- 
tributed most,  it  is  hard  to  say,  but  each  contributed ;  and 
this  great  man  did  not  feel  among  the  least  of  his  gratifi- 
cations, that  we  were  all  happy  and  entertained  also.    We 
set  out  for  Delft  by  the  canal.     The   same  country,  and 
the   same  objects,  as   Holland  in  general  presents,  were 
again  before  us.     Delft  a  good  and  large  town,  intervened, 
and  we  continued  our  way.     The  11th  book  of  the  ^neid 
beguiled  the  time,  till,  entering  Rotterdam,  we  were  struck 
with  admiration  at  its  beauty.     This  is  the  handsomest 
town,  perhaps,  in  Holland :  it  is  insersected  by  grand  and 
long  canals  :  large  ships  and  stately  trees  are  dispersed  in 
every  part,  and  Rotterdam  looks  quite  the  capital  of  v/ealthy 
and  select  merchants.      There  is  not  the   universal  occu- 
pation of  Amsterdam,  its  great  population,  or  extent ;  but 
there  is  enough  of  business  to  animate,  and  there  is  an  air 
of   commercial   grandeur    every  where.      The  statue  of 
Erasmus,  that  great  scholar  and  good  man,  in  bronze,  is 
very  good.     The  Bombkis,  a  quay  extending  above  half  a 
mile  along  the  Maese,  adorned  by  noble  houses,  and  fine 
trees,  however,  is  the  grand  ornament  of  Rotterdam.      On 
our  entrance,  we  saw  admiral  Story's  house  on  one  of  the 


99 

quays  :  the  boatman  spoke  of  him  with  marked  reprobation, 
but  said  De  Winter  "  was  a  brave  man  and  good  patriot." 

As  we  crossed  the  Maese,  the  view  of  Rotterdam,  its 
shipping,  trees,  &c.  gradually  became  more  beautiful.  It 
was  a  fine  termination  of  our  short  and  rapid  tour  through 
Holland ;  and,  entering  Brabant,  we  reached  Bergen-op- 
Zoom  in  the  evening.  Bergen-op-Zoom  is  well  known  as 
one  of  the  strongest  fortified  places  in  Europe.  I  walked 
early  in  the  morning  upon  the  ramparts,  from  whence  the 
view  is  very  extensive.  It  stretches  far  around,  and  I 
took  my  last  farewell  of  Holland  from  thence.  The  lines 
of  fortification,  scarps  and  counterscarps,  bastions,  and 
half- moons,  of  Bergen-op-Zoom,  afforded  a  barren  plea- 
sure, compared  to  the  contemplation  of  such  a  country. 
I  considered  it  with  respect.  It  is  the  work  of  their  hands  5 
they  sought  security  and  peace,  and  they  obtained  them. 
A  long  and  tranquil  period  has  repaid  all  their  toils. 

Towns  have  grown  up.  Their  land  has  been  made  to 
produce.  Commerce  has  enriched  them.  They  have 
been  a  long  time  happy,  and  yet  enjoy  much  of  the  fruits 
of  the  labours  of  their  ancestors.  Here  is  a  work  in 
which  vast  expense,  time,  and  labour,  has  been  expended  ; 
if  it  no  longer  can  contribute  to  guard  an  industrious 
and  virtuous  people,  how  dull,  and  unmeaning  an  object 
it  is. 

Holland  must  long  continue  a  striking  monument  of 
the  patience  and  fortitude  of  man.  Military  works  are 
at  best  but  of  a  partial  and  temporary  nature.  Citadels 
and  fortresses  moulder,  are  destroyed,  or  become  useless. 

Laws,  customs,  and  manners,  endure  for  ages,  when 
once  established,  and  defy  the  hand  of  power.  Religion, 
sanctions  all,  and  binds  the  work.  These  alone  are  last- 
ing works.  These  have  modelled  Holland,  and  may  one 
day  lead  her  once  more  to  assert  her  independence,  and 
again  to  stand  as  a  nation. 


100 

Leaving  Bergen-op-2oom,  we  reached  Antwerp  on  our 
return,  and  rested  one  night  there.  Our  tour  to  Holland 
was  now  finished,  and  we  had  surveyed  two  neighbouring, 
yet  very  distinct  countries,  Flanders  and  Holland.  The 
people  of  each  having  one  common  origin,  had  become, 
through  circumstances  and  situation,  very  different.  The 
Dutch,  having  imbibed  the  doctrines  of  the  new  or  reform- 
ed religion,  inclined,  as  those  professing  such  change  usu- 
ally did,  to  a  new  form  of  government.  They  established 
a  republic  in  their  marshes,  and  disclaimed  all  allegiance, 
to  the  superior  state.  Commerce  was  necessary  for  them ; 
their  situation  compelled  them  to  it,  and  their  interest 
drew  them  to  addict  themselves  to  it.  They  grew  wealthy 
as  well  as  independent,  and  their  character  became  selfish 
and  surly.  Commercial  pride  is,  perhaps,  the  most  odious 
and  tyrannical  of  any  other.  Commercial  avidity  be- 
comes so  blinded,  that  it  endangers  a  state  in  which  it  un- 
happily gains  too  great  preponderance.  Holland  acquired 
too  much  wealth,  and  from  that  moment  lost  its  strength. 
A  base  devotion  to  gain,  stifles  every  germ  of  bravery, 
genius,  and  independence. 

The  young  are  corrupted  by  it  before  they  can  reas  on 
and  every  succeeding  generation  grows  more  degenerate* 
Hence,  the  people  are  bartered  to  the  government  for  ad- 
vantageous jobs  and  contracts,  the  government  grows  ex- 
travagant, and  exhausts  the  wealth  of  the  nation  which  it 
gets  hold  of,  in  vain  and  presumptuous  plans,  and  forms 
expensive  and  dangerous  connexions,  solid  wealth  disap- 
pears, and  commerce  itself,  having  by  its  excess  r  uined 
the  state,  languishes,  and  falls  into  distress.  In  is  remark- 
able that  the  people  of  Flanders  followed  a  very  different 
course  in  every  thing,  and  favoured  in  a  high  and  eminent 
degree  by  the  soil,  applied  themselves  to  agriculture,  as 
the  staple  business,  and  grand  occupation  of  their  lives. 

All  the    habits  of  agriculture    are  so  much  better  than 
ihos&  of  commerce,  that  the  nation  solely,  or  principally. 


101 

addicted  to  it,  will  be  more  solidly  prosperous  and  happy 
than  any  other.     Agriculture  does  not  encourage  the  spirit 
of  dominion  common  to   rich   commercial  states  ;   and  is, 
consequently,  less  involved  in  war  and  expense  than  they 
are.      Agriculture,  too,  promotes  and  cherishes  a  sense  of 
independence    in  the  members  of  an  agricultural  nation. 
The  farmer  who  has  moderate   wants,  and  sees  constantly 
around  him  his  little  territory,  and  a  number  of  contented 
and  happy  beings,  does  not  feel  disposed  to  truckle  to  others, 
or  give  up  his  liberty  for  the  gratifications  of  pride,  vanity, 
and  selfishness.      In  religion,  a  people  having  agricultural, 
rather  than  commercial  habits  of  life,  are  .more    stedfast, 
and  less  prone  to  change  :    they  are  used  to  that  of  their 
forefathers,  respect  it,  and  attend  to  its  worship,  as  a  ne- 
cessary part  of  rural  happiness,  as  well  as  devotion  to  the 
Deity.      Flanders  certainly  proves,  that  a  long  and  undis- 
turbed duration  of  internal  comfort  and  rational  indepen- 
dence, is  better  secured  by  the  people  who  make  agricultu- 
ral pursuits  their  great  object,  than  by  any  other.      In  de- 
fence, too,  of  their  country,  such  a  people   are  sure  to  be 
courageous  and  firm  ;  and  if  they  have  not  the  same  spirit 
ofenterprize  which  a  commercial  on,e  has,  they  compensate 
for  it  by  more  estimable  qualities. 

I  heard,  on  our  return  through  Antwerp,  that  the  com- 
mander there  wished  to  employ  the  old  burgomasters  in 
municipal  offices,  but  they  would  not  accept  such  places  : 
so  that  the  love  of  independence  still  survived  the  glory 
and  grandeur  of  the  city.  This  was  a  faint,  but  not  unin- 
teresting, race  of  what  Belgium  once  was,  and  deserving  of 
respect,  when  we  consider  that  the  whole  country  was  oc- 
cupied by  the  French. 

We  now  pursued  our  way,  taking  the  road  to  Brussels, 
through  Malines.  The  latter  is  a  large  old  town ;  and 
here  a  great  number  of  ecclesiastics  were  seen,  more  than 
I  had  perceived  by  far  since  our  arrival  on  the  Continen';s 


102 


I  will  close  my  remarks  on  Flanders  in  general,  by 
stating  that  the  churches  were  every  where  numerously 
attended  ,*  that  the  people,  though  not  pleased  with  the 
French  government,  were  not  strongly  averse  to  it,  and 
rather  looked  upon  its  rule  as  innovation  than  oppression. 
It  was  not  that  they  preferred  the  Austrian,  but,  rather, 
that  they  were  put  out  of  their  way,  and  habits  of  thinking, 
by  it.  As  we  stopped  at  some  little  village,  I  sat  down 
upon  a  bench  beside  an  old  farmer,  and  asked  him,  how  he 
liked  Bounaparte.  His  answer  was,  "  il  n^est  pas  noble^"^ 
and  a  look  of  some  dissatisfaction.  In  short,  if  France 
respects  the  privileges  and  prejudicies  of  the  Flemings,  and 
does  not  load  them  with  excessive  taxation,  she  may  long 
hold  them  under  her  dominion,  and  derive  vast  strength 
from  their  support.  Holland,  too,  though  likely  to  suffer 
more  from  the  cramping  of  her  commerce  in  war,  may 
preserve  much  of  her  independence,  though  her  merchants 
may  clamour  loudly,  and  represent  her  as  ruined. 

On  leaving  Mechlin,  or  Malines,  our  way  led  through 
a  rich  and  beautiful  country ;  and  when  we  approached 
Brussels,  every  thing  appeared  rich  and  magnificent.  A 
great  part  of  our  journey  was  made  along  a  canal,  having 
good  trees  and  fine  chateaus  on  each  side. 

Brussels  had  been  the  seat  of  the  Austrian  government. 
There  had  Austrian  pride,  and  vice-regal  grandeur,  long 
resided.  The  worthy  Flemings  had  borne  the  "  insolence 
of  office,"  and  had  long  endured  the  haughtiness  of  this  go» 
vernment, — satisfied  with  solid  independence  and  an  undis- 
turbed life.  The  recollection  of  Alva  could  not  be  grate- 
ful, but  that  was  a  passing  horror  which  had  not  entailed 
future  and  distant  miseries,  but  had  rather  served  the  peo- 
ple's cause  by  its  enormity  and  savageness ;  inciting  re- 
sistance, justifying  it,  and  weakening  the  name  and  authority 
of  the  crown  from  its  ill-judged  violence.  Dalton,  too, 
was  not  be  forgot4;en  ;  but  he  also,  the  unfeeling  instrument 


103 

of  a  peevish  despot,  had  not  long  enjoyed  power,  and  his 
cruelty  had  alienated  the  Flemings  without  depressing  or 
degrading  them. 

The  pompous  parade  of  German  stateliness  had  vanish- 
ed from  Brussels  ,*  but  were  we  to  find  it,  therefore,  a  desert? 
I  hoped  not  ,*  we  found  nothing  melancholy ;  on  the  con- 
trary, Brussels  looked  gay  and  pleasant.  It  is  situated  on 
the  side  of  a  hill,  and  the  upper  part,  or  town,  is  remarkably 
handsome  :  we  had  seen  nothing  having  so  elegant  an  air. 
The  palace  and  the  park,  are  remarkably  superb  and  noble  ; 
the  view  from  the  ramparts  overlooks  a  very  fine  country. 
The  hotel  at  Brussels  was  airy,  and  fitted  up  in  a  beauti- 
ful manner :  as  it  was  a  day  of  fete  and  rejoicing,  the  peo- 
ple were  dressed,  and  the  streets  full  of  gaiety.  And  for 
what  was  the  fete ;  and  for  what  this  rejoicing  ?  says  my 
reader.  It  was  to  signalize  the  event  of  Bonaparte's 
having  been  declared  consul  for  life  :  we  now  began  to 
think  of  France. 

Here  I  closed  the  -£neid,  fininshing  the  12th  book  after 
our  arrival  in  Brussels.  I  cannot  bid  it  farewell,  without 
dwelling  with  a  fond  (I  trust,  pardonable,)  and  lingering 
recollection  upon  its  perusal :  these  were  moments,  hal- 
lowed by  friendship,  and  blest  by  the  blended  effusions  of 
genius.  I  could  converse  upon  the  merits  of  the  Trojan 
hero,  and  have  my  doubts  satisfied,  or  my  remarks  sanc- 
tioned by  one  of  the  first  scholars  of  his  country.  I  might 
venture  to  risk  my  thoughts.  Mr.  Fox  was  so  great  a 
lover  of  poetry,  that  even  the  discussions  I  started  pleased 
him.  My  indignation  against  Eneas  for  his  desertion  of 
Dido,  and  the  coldness  of  his  conduct  on  that  and  other 
occasions,  diverted  him.  He  did  not  by  any  means,  de- 
fend, in  these  respects,  Virgil's  hero,  but  he  so  pointed 
out  the  beauties  of  the  author,  and  with  so  much  justice 
and  liberality,  allowed  him  his  full  merit,  even  compared 
with  Homer,  that   I  felt  unbounded  gratification  in  our 


104 

readiugs.  On  looking  again  into  the  iEnied,  I  am  nothing 
surprised  at  his  admiration  of  the  parts  relating  to  Evan- 
der.  I  think,  too,  that  Eneas  is  made,  by  Virgil,  to  rise 
much  superior  to  Achilles,  in  that  respect,  where  they  may 
be  both  compared — their  grief  and  revenge  for  the  loss  of 
a  slain  friend.  Eneas  recollects  the  hospitality,  the  ge- 
nerous friendship  of  the  Arcadian  king. 


-Pallas,  Evander,  omnia  in  ipsis. 


O'culis,' 


and  is  distracted  at  the  death  of  his  son ;  his  fancy  knows 
no  bounds  ;  he  spares  no  person,  and  seems  to  think  he  can 
never  sufficiently  retaliate  upon  the  enemy.  The  old  king 
is  ever  before  his  eyes ;  he  is  maddened  at  the  idea  of  his 
kind  behaviour  meeting  such  a  requital;  he  sees  him 
weeping,  mournful,  and  alone.  Achilles,  as  depicted  by 
Homer,  has  a  good  deal  of  selfish  character ;  the  death  of 
Patroclus  was  a  sensible  loss  to  himself,  which,  as  a  friend, 
we  do  not  wonder  that  he  heavily  laments  ;  but,  compared 
to  the  feelings  which  Eneas  almost  sinks  under,  I  think 
that  of  Achilles  appears  bo}^sh  and  headstrong  rage — the 
desire  to  revenge  his  own  wrongs,  and  to  punish,  in  a  bar- 
barous manner,  the  author  of  them.  On  the  contrary,  it 
is  Evander  which  fills  the  mind  of  Eneas ;  it  is  the  loss 
of  his  ally  snd  friend  he  grieves  for;  he  upbraids  himself 
for  having  occasioned  it :  when  he  sees  the  pale  counte- 
nance of  Pallas, 


"  Non  hcec  Evaudro  de  te  promissa  parenti 

Discedens  dederam  :  cum  me  com  plexus  euntem 

jNIitteret  in  magnum  imperium,  metuensque ;  moneret 

Acris  esse  viros,  cum  dura  proelia  gente. 

Et  nunc,  ille  quidem  spe  multum  captus  inani 

Fors  et  vota  facit,  cumulatque  altariadonis ; 

Nos  javenem  exanimum,  etnil  jam  cselestibus  ullis 

Debentem,  vano  msesti  comitamur  honore. 

Infelix,  nali  tunus  crudele  videbis, 

ill  nostra  redit.us,  exspectatique  triumplii ; 

Ha;c  mea  magna  fides,"  &cc. 


105 

Achilles  says  to  Thetis, 

\ 

In  his  reply  he  does  not  allude  to   the   parents  of  Psl 
troclus ;   saying  merely, 


E(p3-/T." 


Which  is  the  usual  and  constant  reflection  among  the  an- 
cients on  the  death  of  a  friend  and  countryman.  I  must 
allow  that  the  grief  manifested  by  Achilles  on  hearing  of 
the  death  of  Patroclus,  was  of  the  deepest  or  rather  most 
violent  kind.  Homer,  that  sublime  and  incomparable  re- 
presenter  of  nature,  on  that  occasion,  certainly  gives  a 
most  exquisite  and  strong  picture  of  grief. 

" fiv  Vec^ioi;  vt^iXn  tKetWr^t  fAihunftt 


Avrog  Jtf  jcovmcri  uiyati  fxtyeckust  TttvuBm 
KeiTo  ^ihno-i  <rg  x^i'*  tofuii  iiv^i^^i  <r«.^tfT.** 

Yet  it  falls  short  of  the  effect  produced  upon  -^neas, 
which  is  so  dignified  as  well  as  pathetic  :  a  thousand  grate- 
ful and  affectionate  ideas  spring  into  his  mind. — He  flies 
to  succour  his  friends,  but  feels  more  for  the  misery  of 
Evander,  than  for  the  success  of  the  day. 

How  beautiful,  too,  is  all  the  passage  describing  the 
setting  out  of  the  corpse  of  Pallas  ;  and  how  affecting  the 
grief  of  Eneas  on  that  ocoasion ;  when  Pallas  is  raised 
upon  the  bier,  how  sweetly  described. 


106 

"  Hie  juvenem  agresti  sublimem  straraine  ponunt ; 

Qualem  virgineo  demessum  poUice  florem 

Seu  molis  violK,  seu  languentis  hyacinthi : 

Cui  necque  falgor  adhue,  nee  dum  sua  forma  recjesslt : 

Non  jam  mater  alit  tellus,  viresque  ministrat." 

Eneas  brings  out  every  thing  to  mark  respect  and  gra- 
titude to  the  deceased  hero  and  his  father ;  and  the  poet 
adds  : 

*•  Postquam  omnis  longe  comitum  processerat  ordo  ; 
Substitit  -Eneas,  gemituque  hsec  addidit  alto : 
Nos  alias  hinc  ad  lacrimas  eadem  horrida  belli 
Fata  vocant : — salve  jeternura  mihi,  maxume  Palla, 
JEternumque  vale  :  nee  p4ura  effatus  ad  altos 
Tendebat  mures,  gressumque  in  castra  ferebat." 

There  is  more  dignity  in  the  grief  of  Eneas  throughout, 
than  in  that  of  Achilles  ;  at  the  same  time  we  must  allow 
for  the  difference  of  the  characters,  and  of  the  circum- 
stances attending* 

I  observe  in  the  book  I  have  before  me,  the  part  marked 
where  Evander  meets  the  dead  body  of  his  son.  We 
finished  the  11th  book  at  the  Hague,  and,  on  recurring  to 
the  iEneid,  I  feel  fresh  reason  for  admiring  Mr.  Fox's 
partiality  for  every  passage  relating  to  the  Arcadian  king. 
No  mind  of  sensibility  can  fail  of  sympathizing  with 
Evander,  on  this  last  melancholy  occasion.  When  the 
mournful  sounds  of  the  Trojan  and  Arcadian  attendants 
reached  his  ears,  Evander  cannot  be  restrained. 

**  At  non  Evandrum  potis  est  vis  ulla  tenere : 
Sed  venit  in  medios  :  feretro  Pallanta  reposto 
Procubuit  super,  atque  hteret  lacrymansque  gemensque, 
Et  via  vix  tandem  voci  laxa  ta  dolore  est." 

The  following  lamentation  of  Evander  is  very  particu- 
larly marked  ;  the  last  words,  I  think,  yet  reverberate  in 
my  ears. 

*•  Non  hsec  6,  Palla,  dederas  promissa  parenti, 
Cautius  ut  sajvo  velles  te  credere  Marti. 
Haud  ignaras  eraro,  quantum  nova  gloria  in  armis. 


107 

Et  prsedulce  decus  primo  oertamine  posset, 
Primit'iK  juvenis  miserce,  bellique  propinqui 
Dura  rudimenta,  et  nuUi  exaudita  deorum 
Vota  precesque  me» !  tuque,  6  sanctissima  conjuDX 
Felix  morte  tua,  neque  in  hunc  servata  dolorem  ! 
Contra  ego  vivendo  vici  mea  fata,  superstes 
Restarera  ut  genitor.    Troum  socia  arma  secutum 
Obruerent  Rutuli  telis:  animam  ipse  dedissem, 
Atque  haec  pompa  domum  me,  non  Pallanta,  referret. 
Nee  vos  arguerim  Teucri,  nee  fosdera,  nee,  quas 
Junximus  hospitio  dextras :  sors  ista  senects 
Debita  erat  nostrse." 

And  the  concluding  line  and  a  half  is  also  marked  as  the 
"  sors  ista^^ 

"  ■  Non  vitse  gatidia  qu»ro. 


Nee  fas  :  sed  nato  manis  perferre  sub  imos." 

Were  I  to  indulge  in  superstitious  feelings,  I  might 
eonjecture  that  these  melancholy  passages  pleased  Mr« 
Fox  more  peculiarly  from  a  presentiment  that  his  own 
decease  was  not  far  distant :  but  I  should  not  feel  au- 
thorized to  advance  this  supposition,  for  he  never  was 
more  serene  and  cheerful.  I  do  not  know,  however,  but 
that  I  might  state,  that  there  was  a  tincture  of  melancholy 
on  his,  as  in  Virgil's  mind,  at  least  of  great  tenderness, 
which  made  him  dwell  on  such  passages  as  I  have  quoted, 
with  equal  feeling,  and  a  sort  of  refined  delight,  I  was 
accustomed,  when  I  read  the  ^Eneid  on  this  tour,  to  com- 
municate my  ideas  to  him  as  I  proceeded ;  and  he  always 
joined,  with  the  liveliest  interest,  in  re-considering  and 
remarking  upon  the  thousand  beauties  of  the  charming 
author  whom  we  studied  in  this  cursory,  but  very  pleasing 
manner.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  Mr.  Fox  re- 
ceived more  pleasure  from  this  kind  of  friendly  exami- 
nation of  an  author  he  loved  so  much,  than  he  would 
have  done  from  all  the  homage  crowds  of  flatterers  and 
admirers  could  pay,  or  from  the  dazzling  attentions  of 
royalty,  or  from  the  splendour  and  fascination  of  a  bril- 
liant levee.     His  own  virtues  were  so  eminently  doniestic, 


i08 

that  all  those  sources  of  rational  pleasure,  which  the  poet 
opens  before  us,  were  prized  by  him  far  above  those  com- 
mon and  vulgar  delights  which  splendid  rank  or  power,  or 
mere  wealth  bestow.  Often  had  I  marked  this  disposi- 
tion at  St.  Anne's  Hill ;  and  now,  when  every  thing  flat- 
tering and  agreeable  opened  its  view,  when  he  was  about 
to  mix  amongst  the  first  and  most  exalted  characters  of 
Europe  ,*  drawn  to  Paris  by  curiosity,  business,  or  pleasure, 
when  he  expected  to  meet  the  first  warrior,  and,  undoubt- 
edly, the  most  extraordinary  man  of  the  age ;  I  saw  him 
calmly,  and,  indeed,  with  unfeigned  satisfaction,  devoting 
part  of  his  time  to  Virgil,  enlightening  me  by  his  remarks, 
and,  in  his  admiration  of  the  Roman  poet,  forgetting  poli- 
tics, the  continent  we  travelled  on,  and  all  the  warfare  and 
ambition  of  man.  His  mind  soared  so  highly  above  selfish 
ideas,  that,  whilst  others,  through  vanity  or  through  mer- 
cenary motives,  anxiously,  and  with  pitiable  avidity, 
looked  for  changes  of  ministry,  and  all  the  sweets  of  po^ftp 
and  place,  this  excellent  man  enjoyed  Virgil  with  all  the 
warmth  of  glowing  youth  ;  and,  truly  rich  in  the  possession 
of  a  mind  whose  internal  resources  were  inexhaustible  and 
independent,  he  smrled  upon  the  cares  of  crowned  heads, 
and  the  toils  of  their  ministers  and  courtiers. 

At  Brussels,  having  finished  the  ^Eneid,  our  readings 
in  Latin  ceased,  and  we  now  began  to  perceive  our  approx- 
imation to  the  capital.  Mr,  Fox  had  letters  from  his 
friends,  urging  him  to  hasten  his  journey;  and  having 
completed  his  Flemish  and  Dutch  tour,  had  nothing 
farther  to  detain  him.  As  no  man  felt  the  calls  of  friend- 
ship more  strongly,  he  became  himself  desirous  of  pro- 
ceeding without  del?.y.  Attached  warmly  to  his  family^ 
he  had  also  another  inducement,  lord  Holland  and  his  fa- 
mily were  at  Paris,  and  were  anxiously  looking  for  him, 
as  he  lived  with  his  nephew  as  a  brother  and  friend,  and 
the  disparity  of  years  was  lost  in  mutual  affection. 

Lord  Holland,  without  that  grandeur  of  character 
^hich  distinguished  his  uncle— without  that  bold  and  en^ 


109 

thusiastic  devotion  to  liberty  and  her  sacred  rights,  which 
inspired  him — without  that  disdain  of  the  trammels  of 
political  party,  which  made  Mr.  Fox  always  independent, 
though  sometimes  conceding — was  still  highly  worthy  of 
his  exalted  relative's  warmest  affection  and  esteem.  His 
candour,  mildness,  and  liberality,  everywhere  insured 
him  friends ;  and  as  his  tone  of  mind  in  many  respects 
resembled  his  uncle's,  there  existed  the  utmost  cordiality, 
and  the  sincerest  friendship  between  them. 

Added  to  these  inducements,  there  were  others.  The 
establishment  of  Bonaparte  in  the  consulship  for  life,  was 
disclosing  a  new  state  of  things.  The  constitution  changing 
from  a  republic  to  that  of  a  government  for  life  in  one 
person,  caused  every  one  to  think  that  before  long,  men 
would  revert  back,  if  not  to  the  ancient,  at  least  to  some^ 
thing  resembling  the  ancient  monarchy.  Of  course  we 
were  desirous  of  beholding  this  commencement  of  the  new 
government,  and  without  making  any  decision  whether  the 
people  were  right  in  bestowing,  or  Bonaparte  in  accept- 
ing, supreme  power  for  life,  we  wished  very  much  to  be 
witnesses  of  a  novel  state  of  things,  novel  in  a  country, 
too,  where  every  thing  had  been  so  for  the  last  ten  years. 

I  much  wished  myself  to  get  to  Paris,  not  from  any  in- 
ordinate wish  to  see  the  celebrated  person  whose  name  and 
exploits  had  filled  Europe  so  long  a  time,  (for  had  I  felt 
such  a  wish,  it  would  have  been  diminished  a  good  deal 
by  his  assumption  of  permanent  power)  but  from  natural 
anxiety  to  view  that  city,  the  scene  of  so  many  revolu- 
tionary horrors — the  established  arbitress  of  taste  and 
elegance — and  the  depository  of  all  that  was  exquisite  and 
valuable  of  antiquity,  and  modern  productions  of  art. 
Mrs.  Fox,  also,  very  naturally  began  to  feel  warmly  de- 
sirous of  getting  to  this  centre  of  every  thing  interesting 
and  elegant;  and  as  Mr.  Fox  studied  the  gratification  of 
all  her  wishes,  every  thing  concurred  to  make  the  remarn- 
der  of  our  journey  rapid. 


110 


We  did  not  omit,  however,  seeing  every  thing  at  Brus- 
sels. UEcole  central^  (in  the  old  palace)  is  upon  a  very 
grand  scale :  there  is  attached  to  it  a  botanical  garden — a 
collection  of  paintings — a  school  for  drawing  and  for 
mathematics — for  experimental  physics,  chemistry,  &c.  &c. 
—Here  we  also  saw  near  two  hundred  very  fine  orange- 
trees;  they  had  belonged  to  the  Austrian  government,  to 
archdukes,  or  archduchesses,  never  moi-e  destined  to 
command  at  Brussels.  There  v/ere,  as  we  heard, 
many  houses  in  and  about  Brussels  to  let.  Living  is  very 
reasonable  here,  not  more  than  the  quarter  of  what  it  is 
in  England.  I  can  suppose  no  situation  more  desirable  for 
a  person  of  moderate  fortune  :  the  upper  part  of  the  town 
is  remarkably  handsome  and  airy  :  the  houses  round  the 
part  which  stands  high,  have  a  delightful  appearance  f.nd 
charming  prospect,  as  the  country  all  around  is  rich  and 
beautiful,  well  enclosed,  and  much  dressed  and  ornamented 
with  trees,  having  a  forest  on  one  side.  The  church  had, 
under  the  revolutionary  mania,  suffered  some  strange  dedi- 
cation, according  to  the  prevailing  mode  of  renouncing  re- 
velation, and  flying  from  every  rational  and  established 
mode  of  faith.  I  saw  the  inscription,  but  do  not  exactly 
recollect  it.  The  church  was,  at  this  time,  about  to  be 
restored  to  its  ancient  ministers,  and  its  venerable  worship, 
and  the  inscription  was  doubtless,  soon  effaced.  The 
theatre  we  found  large,  but  dirty,  and  the  actors  not  very- 
good.  The  most  pleasing  sight,  however,  was  the  Alice 
verte,  illuminated.  This  is  a  very  fine  avenue,  a  mile,  I 
think,  long,  with  double  rows  of  trees  on  each  side.  It 
was  beautifully  lighted  up,  and  filled  with  a  great  number 
of  people,  chiefly  Flemings.  Their  strange,  grotesque, 
and  clumsy  appearance,  was  very  diverting.  They  walked 
about  as  if  willing  to  exhibit  their  uncouth  forms  to  curious 
spectators;  and  enjoyed,  in  a  considerable  degree,  their 
promenade.  A  strong  military  guard  paraded  up  and 
down,  which  to  me  added  nothing  to  the  agremefit  of  the 
evening :   as,  however,  it  was  very  fine,  the  company  mi- 


Ill 

merous  and  orderly,  and  the  whole  quite  a  new  and  really 
grand  sight,  our  little  party  enjoyed  it  much. 

The  good  Flemings  would  doubtless  have  liked  it  better, 
had  it  not  been  to  celebrate  a  new  order  of  things;  but  as 
they  had  little  to  regret  under  the  Austrian  domination  of 
latter  years,  they  did  not  feel  much  pain  on  this  festive 
occasion ;  although  the  order  that  those  neglecting  to  illu- 
minate in  town,  should  be  delivered  to  the  municipal  offi- 
cers, could  not  have  impressed  them  with  a  very  compla- 
cent opinion  of  the  new  government.  The  duties  laid  on 
here  and  at  Antwerp  were  said  to  be  equally  high. 

Here  we  heard  of  Monsieur  Chauvelin,  who  was  said 
to  live  a  retired  private  life  in  Burgundy.  The  remem- 
brance of  this  gentleman  in  1802,  brought  with  it  many 
important  considerations.  Had  lord  Grenville  possessed 
the  conciliating  manners  and  enlarged  views  of  Mr.  Fox; 
had  the  minister  for  foreign  affairs  in  England,  or  the 
then  chancellor  of  the  exchequer,  who  was  minister  for 
all  affairs,  been  capable  of  rationally  weighing  the  events 
of  futurity  with  intuitive  judgment,  and  of  viewing,  v/ith 
the  benignant  eye  of  a  true  statesman,  the  effervescence 
and  agitations  of  a  long  oppressed  nation ;  nay,  had  the 
ministers  of  the  day,  in  1793,  possessed  the  hearts  of 
Englishmen  of  the  old  school,  they  would  have  venerated 
the  struggle  for  liberty,  made  by  a  sister  nation,  which 
had  been  long  ridiculed  and  despised  for  its  subservience 
to  a  grand  monarque^  and  they  would  respectfully  have 
said,  every  nation  is  free  to  choose  her  own  government, 
our's  has  asserted  this  right  at  all  times  whert  necessary. 
Let  the  French  nation  decide  for  itself.  You,  M.  Chauve- 
lin, accredited  as  the  minister  of  France,  shall  be  acknow- 
ledged as  the  representative  of  a  great  nation  ;  if  she  be 
free,  we  respect  her  more  and  more ;  but  upon  her  internal 
commotions,  or  her  form  of  government,  monarchical  or 
republican,  we  say  not  a  word.  Had  such  been  lord  Gren- 
ville's  language,   on  the  momentous  day  when  he   ignomi- 


lis. 


ttiously  dismissed  M.  Chauvelin,  what  seas  of  blood  would 
have  been  spared  to  France  and  all  Europe. 

Monsieur  Chauvelin,  in  his  retirement,  has  nothing  to 
reproach  himself  with;  can  lord  Grenville,  at  Dropmore, 
calmly  reconsider  past  occurrences  between  him  and  that 
gentleman,  and  not  feel  anguish  and  remorse  at  rashness, 
whereby  the  relations  between  England  and  France  were 
rudely  snapped  asunder,  and  a  long,  almost  interminable, 
contest  has  been  entailed  upon  the  two  nations.  I  do  not 
recollect  Mr.  Fox  saying  a  word  about  M.  Chauvelin 
while  at 'Brussels.  I  could  not  but  think  of  past  events, 
when  I  heard  his  name  there,  in  1802  ; — and  now,  in  1811, 
I  think  a  great  deal  more  upon  a  sober,  and  if  I  may  call 
it,  an  historical  view,  of  M.  Chauvelin's  affair. 

At  Brussels  lived  the  ex-director  Barras.  As  this  per- 
son had  acted  so  conspicuous  a  part  in  the  republic,  I 
should  have  been  glad  to  have  seen  him ;  but  as  our  time 
was  short,  and  all  our  thoughts  now  turned  to  Paris,  we 
had  no  opportunity  of  meeting  him.  To  him  Bonaparte 
owed  his  introduction,  and  elevation  in  the  republic : 
through  him  he  obtained  his  command  in  Italy,  which  cov- 
ered him  with  so  much  glory;  and  at  that  critical  moment, 
when  the  fate  of  the  directory  was  in  suspense,  the  abdi- 
cation of  Barras,  and  his  testimony  in  favour  of  general 
Bonaparte,  greatly  conduced  to  assist  his  views.  Mr. 
Fox,  however,  manifested  no  wish  to  see  this  ex-director. 

Staying  one  day  at  Brussels,  we  dined  in  the  country, 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Walkyis,  a  merchant  of  high  respecta- 
bility,— his  house  commanding  one  of  the  finest  views  I 
ever  beheld.  A  most  amiable  and  hospitable  family,  and 
an  elegant  entertainment,  awaited  us  here.  It  seemed  to 
me  a  revival  of  those  days,  when  Flanders  was  independent, 
and  the  ally  of  English  monarchs.  When  Edward  the  1st 
was  the  guest  and  friend  of  her  citizens,  and  gratefully 
acknowledged  the  efficacy  of  their  assistance.    There  was 


113 

an  air  of  liberality  and  freedom  in  the  soriety,  as  tliis 
charming  mansion  of  Mr.  Walkyis,  extremely  res-pectable, 
and  the  opulence  and  taste,  every  where  prevalent,  was  not 
less  striking.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox  enjoyed  the  day  much, 
and  we  left  the  house  in  the  evening,  with  great  regret. 
No  person  could  maintain  the  dignifit-d  character  of  a 
wealthy  and  enlightened  merchant  better  than  Mr.  Walkyis. 
His  fortune  had  suffered  something  in  the  Flemish  distur- 
bances, but  this  had  nothing  altered  the  hospitality  of  his 
nature,  or  the  ease  of  his  manners.  The  loss  he  bore  as  a 
philosopher,  and  his  remaining  fortune  he  enjoyed,  and 
continued  to  enjoy,  in  a  manner  worthy  of  praise.  Mr. 
Fox  was  here,  and  I  believe  somewhat  on  this  latter  ac- 
count, peculiarly  attentive  and  affable  :  his  manner  seemed 
to  say,  if  you  have  been  deprived  of  some  of  your  wealth, 
do  not  imagine  that  your  friends  will  respect  you  less.  In- 
deed, this  great  man,  who  in  general  might  be  deemed 
simple  and  retiring  in  his  manner  in  society,  until  drawn 
forth,  omitted  no  occasion,  when  the  feelings  o{  others 
were  concerned,  and  when  they  might  be  deemed  particu- 
larly susceptible  of  coldness  or  neglect,  of  coming  forward, 
in  a  marked  manner,  to  evince  respect  to,  and  to  cheer,  by 
a  sort  of  irresistible  kindness  of  demeanour  and  conver- 
sation, those  whom  he  thought  at  all  depressed,  or  in  any 
way  affected  by  misfortune. 

We  left  Brussels  on  the  1  rth  ©f  August,  and  found  the 
day  extremely  hot :  we  recurred  again  to  Tom  Jones,  and 
forgot  the  little  inconveniences  of  the  journey.  We  were 
now  drawing  to  the  end  of  our  tour,  and  had  been  much 
indebted  to  the  genius  of  Fielding  for  amusement  and  in- 
struction. We  had  accompanied  Tom  Jones  through  the 
stages  of  his  youth  and  manhood,  where,  if  exceptionable 
parts  were  to  be  found,  we  had  also  found  much  to  ap- 
prove and  admire.  The  hero,  though  faulty,  was  not 
hardened;  and  if  necessity  drove  him  to  some  meannesses, 
he  felt  his  debasement,  and  despised  his  own  conduct ! 
Such  a  character,  though  not  precisely  to  be  held  up  for 

p 


lU 


imitation,  is,  however,  more  instructive  than  the  heroes  of 
romance,  the  faultless  or  too  exalted  knight,  who  does  not 
seem  of  our  species  ;  as  Tom  Jones  is  also  with  all  his  in- 
discretions on  his  head,  far  preferable  to  those  much  more 
dangerous  personages  in  modern  novels,  whose  voluptuous 
authors  seem  to  conceive,  that  libertine  immorality,  clothed 
in  eloquent  language,  are  sure  to  gain  approbation  and 
support. 

Mr.  Fox  was  fond  of  novels,  but  not  of  any  of  this 
latter  class.  Their  verbiage,  and  want  of  fidelity  to  nature, 
were  sure  to  disgust  him.  I  have  read  to  him,  at  times, 
a  great  many,  but  none  of  this  description.  In  the  Ara- 
bian Nights  Entertainments  he  delighted  much,  (and  who 
would  not  ?)  for  there  was  to  be  found  a  faithful  and  ini- 
mitable picture  of  oriental  manners  and  customs  as  well  as 
much  ingenuity,  fancy,  and  knowledge  of  human  nature ; 
but  in  the  pages  of  sensuality,  expanding  itself  in  various 
shapes  in  the  modern  novel,  he  found  no  pleasure ;  and 
the  irreligious  passages  gave  him  still  less,  as  no  man 
treated  the  sacred  subject  of  religion  with  greater  respect 
and  forbearance  than  he  did.  We  were  now  journeying, 
with  Tom  Jones  as  our  companion,  through  a  fertile  coun- 
try, and  dined  at  Mons,  a  large  old  town,  containing  no- 
thing interesting. 

In  this  day's  journey  we  passed  the  celebrated  field  of 
Gemappe.  The  ground  is  mostly  flat,  excepting  a  small 
sloping  hill,  extending  a  considerable  way.  It  was  here 
Dumouriez's  glory  reached  its  acme  :  here  was  decided 
the  fate  of  the  Netherlands,  and  it  may  be  said,  the  fate 
of  France  and  of  Europe.  General  Dumouriez  shewed 
extraordinary  spirit  and  activity  on  this  celebrated  field, 
having  thrown  off,  as  was  said  to  us,  both  his  coat  and 
waistcoat,  and  fought  in  that  manner  in  the  battle.  At 
that  period  France  was  struggling  amidst  great  difficulties. 
The  battle  of  Gemappe  gave  her  a  noble  country,  and 
l";»ised  her  military  reputation  so  high,  that,  as  the  spirits 


115 

of  the  nation  became  elevated,  the  course  of  the  coalesced 
powers  grew  doubtful ;  from  thence,  there  was  abundant 
proof,  in  the  extraordinary  energy  disphiyed  by  the  French 
army,  and  their  commander,  on  this  occasion,  that  the  at- 
tempt to  controul  the  internal  regulation  of  France  was 
likely  to  recoil  upon  the  different  crowned  heads  embarking 
in  it.  General  Dumouriez,  unfortunately  for  himself,  did 
not  continue  in  this  career  of  glory  ;  he,  too,  like  the  min- 
isters and  statesmen  of  the  day,  miscalculated  upon  the 
state  of  things  in  France,  and  imagined  that  a  government 
which  had  totally  forfeited  the  confidence  of  the  people, 
could  be  restored  to  strength  and  life. 

Royalty  had  lost  its  former  attractions ;  and,  unless 
Louis  XVI.  had  left  a  son  of  uncommon  promise,  as  to 
talent  and  disposition,  capable  of  reuniting  in  himself  the 
hopes  of  the  nation,  and  exempt  from  the  influence  of  a 
mother  who  had  courted  the  hatred  and  contempt  of  the 
people,  there  was  little  probability  of  its  restoration  in  the 
line  of  the  Bourbons.  The  slender  hopes  of  the  voung 
prince,  were  rendered  smaller  by  general  Dumouriez's 
subsequent  defection,  and  by  the  equivocal  conduct  pur- 
sued by  the  allied  powers. 

We  passed  through  a  fine  country,  the  whole  of  the  day's 
journey,  and  arrived  in  the  evening  at  Valenciennes,  an 
old-fashioned  and  dull-looking  town.  As  this  place  had 
surrendered  to  the  duke  of  York,  it  was  another  memo- 
randum of  the  errors  of  the  allies  ;  it  was  taken  possession 
of  in  the  name  of  the  emperor  of  Germany,  and  thus  that 
very  disposition  for  conquest  imputed  to  the  French,  was 
manifested  by  the  allies.  I  perceive  very  little  disposition 
in  Mr.  Fox,  to  be  interested  in  the  military  events  attend- 
ing the  revolution :  whether  his  disposition  was  averse  to 
those  deeds  of  blood,  dignified  in  history  by  a  false  and 
mischievous  glare  of  thoughtless  applause,  or  that  (as  I 
incline  to  imagine)  he  mourned  secretly  over  all  those  ca- 
lamities which  he  had  ineffectually  raised  his  voice  to  pre- 


115 

vent,  he  said  little  on  such  points.  The  agriculture  of  the 
country,  passages  of  Tom  Jones,  natural  history,  the  poets, 
and  all  those  pleasant  little  occurrences  which  diversify  the 
scene,  and  entertain  those  who  travel  with  a  desire  to  hi 
pleased,  as  well  as  informed,  occupied  him.  We  were  nov/ 
shortly  to  enter  into  the  splendour  and  bustle  of  Paris. 

It  was  with  some  regret  I  felt  this,  though  certainly 
one  must  be  very  insensible,  when  nearly  touching  the  goal, 
not  to  feel  an  almost  breathless  expectation  at  the  thought 
of  seeing  so  celebrated  a  city.  My  regret  arose  from  con- 
sidering that  that  complete  and  perfect  enjoyment  of  the 
society  of  Mr.  Fox,  which  made  our  tour  so  happy,  was 
about  to  end.  Sincere  friendship  has  little  need  of  the 
amusement  of  the  world,  to  make  the  hours  pass  swiftly  p 
it  rests  satisfied  with  the  enjoyments  it  can  always  supply, 
and  is  ever  jealous  of  those  crowds  which  interrupt,  but 
cannot  add  to  its  satisfaction.  In  the  latter  part  of  our 
little  tour,  I  had  experienced  this  truth  most  powerfully. 
Mr.  Fox  had  throughout  appeared  so  happy,  and  cheerful, 
that  our  small  society  wanted  nothing  of  the  charm  of  a 
new  and  brilliant  court,  to  increase  its  felicity.  It  was 
with  this  mixed  sensation  that  I  now  saw  our  distance 
from  Paris  hourly  diminish. 

We  stopped  for  some  time  at  Cambray.  It  is  a  re- 
spectable town.  The  inn  we  drove  to  had  been  a  convent. 
The  church  was  converted  into  a  barn,  and  though  full 
of  the  produce  of  harvest,  and  of  farming  utensils,  the  or- 
gan remained  still  in  its  place  at  the  upper  end.  This  was 
another  melancholy  testimony  of  the  violence  of  the  times, 
when  religion  suffers  outrage,  from  the  direful  ascendancy 
of  the  illiterate  mob.  The  celebrated  manufactory  of  cambric 
still  holds  its  ground  here,  though  that  also  had  suffered. 
It  was  now  reviving,  and  we  saw  some  specimens  of  as- 
tonishing beauty  and  fineness.  Who  could  pass  through 
Cambray,  without  recollecting  Fenelon,  that  enchanting  au- 
thor and  excellent  man  ?  How  grateful  the  remembrance  of 
him,  the  benefactor  of  his  country,  and  friend  of  man  !  How 


117 

pleasing-  after  contemplating  the  vestiges  of  revolutionary 
rage,  and  the  traces  of  desperate  innovators,  who  sought 
not  the  happines  of  their  fellow  subjects,  so  much  as  their 
own  aggrandizement,  and  revenge  against  those  upper 
classes,  whose  faults  were  to  be  ascribed  to  their  education, 
to  a  bad  government,  to  the  frailty  of  weak  man  ;  not  to 
any  studied  plan   of  tyranny,  or  depressing  their  inferiors. 

We  observed  a  considerable  cultivation  of  poppies 
through  French  Flanders,  which  have  a  charming  effect 
when  in  bloom,  as  we  saw  them.  On  our  approach  to 
Valenciennes,  the  country  visibly  became  inferior  to  that 
called  the  Netherlands  :  the  agriculture  was  not  so  good, 
and  the  houses  were  very  indifferent  compared  to  those  of 
the  Flemings.  We  entered  old  France  at  Personne.  As 
in  Flanders  the  traces  of  ancient  freedom,  and  of  republi- 
can prosperity,  had  plainly  declared  the  excellency  of  the 
constitution  enjoyed  for  ages  by  the  people,  so  in  France 
there  was  an  obvious  contrast,  and  the  withering  hand  o£ 
despotism  had  marked  it  in  another  manner.  The  rule  of 
the  Bourbons,  for  so  many  centuries,  had  cramped  the 
powers  of  the  French,  and  evidently  enfeebled  the  charac- 
ter of  the  nation.  These  monarchs  no  longer  possessing 
the  noble  character  of  king  Henry  the  Fourth,  his  valour 
and  generosity  had  degenerated  into  royal  voluptuaries, 
and,  trusting  the  administration  of  affairs  to  their  courtiers, 
and  mistresses,  had  disgraced  the  government  of  the  na- 
tion, at  the  head  of  which  they  were  placed.  In  a  coun- 
try so  ruled,  one  could  not  wonder  at  seeing  houses  and 
agriculture  inferior  to  those  of  Flanders. 

The  last  days  of  our  journey  proved  extremely  hot. 
After  leaving  Valenciennes  we  returned  to  Tom  Jones.  I 
recollect  a  circumstance  which  affected  me  a  good  deal  in 
reading  this  work  :  it  was  the  description  of  a  great  com- 
moner, at  the  end  of  one  of  the  chapters.  It  seemed  to 
paint  the  character  of  Mr.   Fox  with  so  much  truth  and 


118 

animation,  paying  a  tribute  to  his  benevolence,  than  which 
nothing  was  ever  better  deserved,  that  I  could  not  proceed 
for  some  moments.  Why  do  tears  sometimes  intrude 
when  the  most  grateful  sensations,  and  none  but  pleasing 
affections  of  the  mind,  are  touched  ?  I  do  not  know  ;  un- 
less it  be  that  the  warmth  of  gratitude  may  enervate  the 
mind  at  certain  moments  ;  and  that,  when  it  cannot  repay 
obligations  by  actions,  it  speaks  its  sense  of  them  through 
tears,  Mr.  Fox  said  nothing.  He  was  peculiarly  unwil- 
ling to  ascribe  any  thing  of  a  flattering  nature  to  himself, 
and  was,  generally,  rather  embarrassed  by  any  thing  of 
that  kind.  How  very  unlike  the  generality  of  celebrated 
men,  who  but  too  often  require  applause  and  flattery  to 
feed  their  vanity. 

On  our  last  day's  journey,  and  some  hours  before  wc 
entered  Paris,  we  finished  Tom  Jones.  This  book  had 
been  our  pleasant  companion,  and  we  now  took  leave  of  it 
with  regret.  I  was  not  then  aware,  alas  !  that  I  had  closed 
its  pages  forever — that  I  should  never  again  travel  and  read 
the  works  of  this  excellent  English  author  in  the  society  of 
Mr.  Fox !  I  have  never  since  looked  at  the  book,  but  it 
will  be  a  memorial  to  me  of  moments  I  can  never  hope  to 
find  equalled:  they  are  gone;  and  he  who  listened  with 
such  complacency  and  cheerfulness,  shall  not  hear  the 
voice  of  his  friends,  and  those  dearest  to  him,  again.  But 
the  remembrance  of  this  little  tour  can  never  die  with 
those  who  travelled  with  him  !  Can  they  forget  his  con- 
stant urbanity,  the  pleasantness  of  his  manners,  and  his 
easy  participation  in  all  the  gaieties  of  our  journey? 
Always  serene,  always  happy  in  himself,  he  never  incom- 
moded or  troubled  any  one,  and  those  he  had  chosen  as  his 
companions,  he  never  failed  to  treat  and  acknowledge  as 
his  equals. 

I  must  not,  however,  omit  to  mention  another  book  I 
read  a  little  on  the  road  and  at  Brussels.  I  ailuJe  to  the 
Orlando  Furioso  of  Ariosta.     Of  this  work  Mr.  Fox  was 


119 

excessively  fond ;  and  as  I  agreed  with  him  in  this  par- 
tiality, the  rending  some  stanzas  and  conversing  on  the 
beauties  of  this  delightful  poet,  was  another  source  of  gra- 
tification not  to  be  passed  by,  in  giving  a  sketch  of  our 
short  tour.  Mr.  Fox  held  Ariosta  very  high,  thinking 
him  equal,  in  some  respects,  to  Virgil,  and  even  his  great- 
est of  favourites.  Homer.  The  fertility  of  his  fancy,  and 
the  sublime  and  tender  passages  of  his  noble  poem,  delight- 
ed him  much  :  doubtless,  the  charming  language  in  which 
it  is  written,  and  of  which  he  was,  with  much  reason,  very 
fond,  conduce  to  make  the  Orlando  Furioso  of  Ariosta 
one  of  the  most  captivating  of  poems ;  for  as  Greek  may 
be  deemed  among  the  ancients  the  finest  and  most  poetical 
of  their  languages,  so  the  Italian,  among  moderns,  is 
beyond  all  competition,  that  which  is  best  adapted  to 
poetry  and  the  stage. 

I  now  regret  that  I  did  not  take  the  Iliad  or  the  Odyssy 
with  me.  These  works  Mr.  Fox  preferred  to  all  others 
of  the  ancient  classics ;  and,  was  a  choice  to  have  been 
made,  would  have  yielded  all  to  have  preserved  them. 
His  letters  show  his  strong  admiration  of  Homer;  and 
my  readers  will  perceive  in  them,  that  he  estimated  Euri- 
pides  very  highly,  and  perhaps  preferred  him  to  all  dra- 
matic writers;  yet  Homer  was  the  great  poet,  with  him, 
who  included  every  beauty,  and  had  the  fewest  defects  in 
his  work,  of  any  ancient  or  modern  genius. 

Had  another  tour  taken  place — had  Mr.  Fox  been 
spared  health  and  life — -had  the  calm  of  St.  Anne's  Hill 
not  been  exchanged  for  public  business  and  nightly  de- 
bates at  the  house  of  commons,  these  divine  works  might 
have  been  read  in  happier  and  still  more  auspicious  hours, 

Mr.  Fox  anxiously  desired  to  see  Constantinople,  and, 
I  am  persuaded,  would  have  gone  there,  if  peace  and  lei- 
sure had  allowed  him.    He  spoke  not  ambiguously  upon  the 


120 

subject,  and  when  he  said  a  little,  it  was  tantamount  to  a 
great  deal  from  others;  at  least,  there  was  a  manner  when 
he  was  quite  earnest,  and  anxious,  that  was  most  intelli- 
gible, and  was  sure  never  to  be  belied,  however  distant 
the  period  of  accomplishing  it  might  be.  To  have  visited 
Constantinople  with  Mr.  Fox;  to  have  stood  on  the  Ionian 
shore,  where  Homer  composed  his  noble  verses,  and  to 
have  investigated  that  country  from  whence  that  armament 
issued,  whose  exploits  he  so  admirably  sung,  would  have 
been  a  rare  and  enviable  enjoyment ;  those  favourite  vo- 
lumes in  which  we  read  the  venerated  author  are  lying 
before  me.  I  am  carried  in  my  fancy  through  the  noble 
work,  and  can  almost  suppose  myself  sailing  through  the 
Hellespont,  looking  out  for  ruins,  and  listening  for  the 
sound  of  some  melancholy  lyre,  breathing  its  lament,  and 
accompanying  the  verses  of  Homer :  it  was  too  great  pre- 
sumption to  have  hoped  this,  but  it  is  natural  to  reject 
it.  Mr.  Fox's  observation  on  the  Iliad,  made  on  the 
spot,  and  those  scenes  where  the  principal  actors  are  re- 
presented as  having  struggled  and  fought  so  long,  would 
have  been  interesting  to  every  scholar,  and  every  person 
of  feeling.  What  lover  of  Homer  would  not  delight  to 
have  accompanied  him^  even  in  idea,  to  these  classic 
spots,  concecrated  by  genius,  and  immortalized  by  time 
and  general  consent,  A  cold  critic's  eye  might  detect 
mistakes,  and  annihilate  the  fond  imagination  of  walking 
on  the  ground,  rendered  precious  and  venerable  by  Homer; 
but  a  reasonable  presumption  would  have  sufficed,  I  am  sure, 
had  thi's  favourite  plan  of  Mr.  Fox  taken  place  to  have  satis- 
fied him  as  to  the  scenery,  and  shores  once  animated  by  the 
contestof  Grecians  and  Trojans.  Achilles  mourning  over  his 
lyre,  on  the  lonely  shore;  Hector,  a  breathless  corps,  dragged 
round  Troy  ;  the  aged  Priam  begging  for  his  son's  remains ; 
the  clangor  of  arms  :  the  vile  but  sublime  machinery  of 
heathen  deities  ;  the  innumerable  touches  from  nature;  the 
very  colouring  of  the  sea :  the  noise  of  its  waves  ;  all  the 
similies  of  the  divine  poet  would  revive,  and,  warmed  by 


121 

imagination's  glowing  power,  have  been  felt  as  if  tirfie 
had  retroceded.  Troy's  towers  stood  trembling  before  us, 
and  all  modern  systems  and  histories  been  blotted  away, 
there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  scene  of  action  which  a 
poet  celebrates,  and  has  drawn  his  images  and  descriptions, 
as  much  as  possible,  from,  and  which  is  connected  with 
history,  must  be  the  proper  spot  for  the  perusal  of  his  poem. 
It  was  a  characteristic  of  Mr.  Fox,  that  to  all  the  acumen 
and  knowledge  of  the  scholar  and  critic,  he  united  the 
sensibility  and  lire  of  the  poet ;  his  remarks,  therefore, 
drawn  forth  on  the  theatre  of  Grecian  and  Trojan  valour, 
W'ould  have  had  no  common  interest. 

If  I  may  be  permitted  to  suggest  an  idea  quite  my  own, 
hut,  I  think,  corroborated  by  the  tenor  of  this  great  man*s 
character,  I  should  be  inclined  to  suggest  that  his  intention 
of  going  to  Constantinople,  was  a  strong  symptom  of  hav- 
ing neither  expectation  nor  desire  of  becoming  minister. 
His  indifference  in  regard  to  power  was  so  unfeigned  and 
so  great,  that  I  am  persuaded  he  looked  forward  with  more 
hope  and  more  pleasure  to  this  future  tour,  than  to  any 
elevation  which  his  country  could  bestow. 

The  tour  to  Constantinople  would  not  have  been  like 
the  short  trip  through  Flanders  and  Holland;  a  year  or 
two  would  have  been  required.  Constantinople,  Ionia, 
Greece,  and  the  Grecian  isles,  perhaps  Egypt,  would  have 
required  a  good  deal  of  time;  and  he  who  had  so  well 
profited  by  the  historian's  pages,  would  have  found  abun- 
dant opportunity  for  examination  and  reflection  in  these 
rountries.  Had  he  travelled  thus  a  few  years,  the  unani- 
mous voice  of  these  islands  would  have  called  for  him, 
and  the  misguided,  but  well-meaning  people  of  England^ 
would  have  recognised  that  with  the  energies  produced  by 
a  radical  reform,  and  with  the  abilities  of  Mr.  Fox  to 
wield  them,  they  might  defy  every  enemy,  and  that,  thus, 
the  monarch  ^ould  be  secured,  and  the  people  relieved.- 


122 

The  inscrutable  ways  of  heaven  denied  this  course  of 
events ;  Constantinople  was  not  visited ;  I  lean  over  the 
Iliad  and  Odyssy  in  silence ;  I  turn  the  leaves  with  affec- 
tionate and  mournful  veneration ;  I  look  at  them  with  a 
wandering  eye;  their  honoured  possessor  no  more  is 
seen. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


AS  this  sketch  of  our  short  tour  to  Paris  draws  to  a 
conclusion,  I  shall  introduce  some  remarks,  which  I  hope 
will  not  be  deemed  unapt  or  ill-placed. 

On  this  tour  Mr.  Fox  appeared  to  me  in  quite  a  new 
light ;  maintaining  all  the  dignity  of  his  character,  he  was 
easy,  affable,  and  cheerful;  the  little  obstacles,  disappoint- 
ments, or  unpleasantnesses  of  the  way  never  ruffled  him; 
he  paid  all  the  bills  in  the  different  coins  and  reckoning  of 
the  different  countries,  with  astonishing  facility;  never 
occasioned  any  delay  on  the  road;  and,  consulting  the 
comfort  and  convenience  of  Mrs.  Fox  in  every  thing, 
seemed  willing  to  enjoy  every  thing  as  we  travelled,  and 
to  desire  no  attendance  or  attention  himself. 

Agriculture  occupied  a  great  deal  of  his  observation ; 
and  the  interest  he  took  in  it  was  strong,  and  founded  on 
his  own  practical  knowledge.  Nothing  I  admired  more 
in  his  character,  at  this  time,  than  his  entire  abandonment 
to  the  scenes  and  objects  around  him.  There  was  nothing 
of  the  mere  Englishman  to  be  perceived ;  the  man  of 
science  and  fashion,  an  observer  of  nature,  pleased  with 


124 


every  thing,  a  bigot  to  no  country  or  prejudices,  but  ftn 
enlightened  gentleman,  and  the  friend  to  his  fellow- 
creature,  whether  French,  Dutch,  or  Flemish,  without 
cavilling  at  their  manners,  customs,  government,  or  re- 
ligion. 

On  the  whole  journey  a  reprimand,  or  intemperate  word 
did  not  escape  him ;  and  though,  from  the  extreme  heat, 
and  his  being  rather  corpulent,  he  suffered  inconvenience 
often,  yet  he  never  evinced  the  least  peevishness  or  im- 
patience. I  observed  him,  both  as  to  his  own  little  party, 
and  the  people  on  the  road,  to  be,  in  all  things,  eminetitly 
forbearing,  and  saw  that  he  even  put  the  best  construction 
on  things,  and  was  the  first  to  extenuate  or  find  an  apology 
for  deficiencies  in  others. 

On  the  score  of  religion,  I  perceived  tTiat  he  did  not 
sjierely  tolerate^  for  that  word  ill  applied  to  his  disposition 
on  sacred  matters,  but  was  truly  bemgiiant ;  he  conceived 
that  all  human  beings  enjoyed  the  exercise  of  religious 
worship,  and  the  self-possession  of  religious  opinions,  as 
a  matter  of  right,  not  to  be  controlled  by  their  fellow  men  : 
that  inoffensive  and  good  citizens  did  not  require  the  per- 
mission of  others,  for  this  mental  enjoyment,  and  that  all 
were  entitled  to  honour  the  Deity,  in  a  decent  and  pious 
manner,  without  reflection  or  reproach.  There  never  es- 
caped from  his  lips  one  disrespectful  word  regarding 
religion  ;  never  one  doubtful  smile  was  seen  in  his 
countenance  in  a  place  of  worship,  or  the  slightest  dero- 
gation from  a  solemn  and  respectful  regard  for  all  around 
him.  He  was  well  aware  how  much  nations,  families,  and 
individuals,  dislike  interference  in  the  secret  and  consci 
entious  worship  of  the  mind,  when  it  communicates  with 
God,  or  communes  with  itself  upon  sacred  subjects  :  in 
fact,  i)s  a  statesman  he  was  too  wise,,  as  a  christian  too 
charitable  and  sincere,  as  a  man  too  good  and  benevolent 
to  wish  to  meddle  with  religion,  and  become  a  spiritual 
despot  dictating,  when  every  man  who  has  the  piklc  ;^nd 


12^ 


ieelings  of  man,  desires  to  be  left  free.  Had  we  travelled 
through  the  Netherlands,  predisposed  to  depreciate  and 
condemn  every  thing  caihoUc^  how  much  would  our  en- 
joyment have  been  diminished  ?  The  golden  harvest  would 
have  waved  less  luxuriantly,  the  people  have  been  despi- 
sed, and  their  excellent  husbandry  and  domestic  virtues 
been  undervalued. — Had  we  again  disliked  preshijtermn*' 
'ism^  much  of  Holland  would  have  lost  its  charm,  animated 
Jis  it  is  by  commerce,  and  yet  breathing  the  air,  and  having 
the  port  of  a  republic  ?  Religious  antipathy'  is  the  most 
v/ithering  sentiment  which  corrodes  the  mind,  more  bitter 
than  envy — more  deep  than  hatred,  and  more  permanent 
than  revenge — it  distorts  history — perverts  facts — and  can 
be  fully  gratified  only  by  extermination.  Through  the 
fertile  and  happy  countries  where  we  passed,  I  saw  much 
to  delight  and  to  instruct — saw  their  agriculture  flourish- 
ing— their  houses  comfortable,  and  their  people  possessing 
much  of  the  solid  enjoyments  of  life.  I  asked  no  one 
was  he  a  catholic,  or  a  presbyterian,  or  a  Lutheran ; — ^if 
every  one  was  hospitable  and  friendly,  it  would  have  been 
base  to  pry  into  the  interior  of  his  mind,  and  require  the 
credentials  of  faith  to  qualify  him  for  civil  societv. 

Mr.  Fox's  love  of  paintings  was  another  disposition 
much  conducive  to  his  enjoyment  in  travelling :  in  this 
there  was  nothing  of  false  taste  :  nature,  not  the  favourite 
master,  being  ever  his  guide,  and  the  object  of  his  admira- 
tion. He  relished  much,  also,  the  picturesque  and  domes- 
tic scenes  of  real  life,  was  pleased  with  whatever  had  ef- 
fect and  merit,  and  gave  to  every  thing  its  peculiar  claim 
to  it.  Nothing  is  more  valuable  to  the  traveller,  than 
his  love  of  pictures,  be  they  animated  originals,  or  their 
faithful  representations.  With  such  a  fund  of  enjoyment 
in  his  breast,  a  man  is  constantly  enjoying,  as  he  passes 
along  ;  and  if  he  has  none  of  the  anti-social  prejudices 
alluded  to  above,  he  at  no  time  possesses  more  real  happi- 
ness than  in  thus  observing,  and  ibu^pin  a  tliousand  wiixs, 
V  nrichinjT  his  mind. 


126 


Mr.  Fox,  besides,  was  entertained  with  all  the  species 
of  minor  comedy,  which  is  so  constantly  exhibiting  in  com- 
mon life  :  he  was  often  amused,  when  others  got  angry  ; 
and  he  extracted  entertainment  from  what  would  much 
have  incommoded  gravity  and  pride,  or  disturbed  the 
temper  of  ordinary  travellers. 

I  have  adverted  to  his  knowledge  of  botany  and  agri- 
culture, which  also  were  sources  of  great  pleasure  to  him 
upon  this  journey.  There  is  no  species  of  information 
more  useful  to  carry  abroad  than  this  ;  I  should  in- 
cline to  think  it  almost  indispensable  ;  for  the  various 
productions  of  nature,  their  cultivation  and  uses,  present 
so  much  amusement  to  the  traveller,  and  are  so  interesting 
to  him  who  is  conversant  in  them,  that  a  great  part  of  the 
benefit  is  lost  to  him  who  goes  abroad  quite  insensible  to, 
and  ignorant  of,  the  practicable  good  of  agriculture.  It 
is  a  science  which  interests  all  in  society, — it  is  a  subject 
of  the  utmost  importance  to  the  great  landholder,  to  the 
man  of  moderate  fortune,  to  the  farmer,  and  to  the  cotta- 
ger, and  I  may  add  to  the  man  of  feeling. 

I  observed,  however,  in  this  tour,  that  military  affairs, 
fortifications,  sieges,  fields  of  battle,  scenes  of  slaughter, 
&c.  did  not  at  all  interest  Mr.  Fox  :  if  I  had  said,  that 
the  latter  disgusted  him,  I  should  not  be  wrong.  His 
mind  turned  to  every  object  connected  with  arts  and  sci- 
ences, but  he  did  not  dwell  with  any  satisfaction  upon  the 
bloody  effects  of  human  ambition  and  discord. 

With  the  qualities  and  dispositions  I  have  described,  it 
would  be  superfluous  to  say,  that  Mr.  Fox's  reflections 
and  observations,  on  this  little  journey,  given  to  the  pub- 
lic in  a  perfect  state,  and  written  at  length,  would  have 
been  invaluable  ;  he  wrote  a  short  journal  of  dates  and 
distances,  which  is  not  deemed  complete  or  interesting 
enoup'h   to  si^bmit  to  the  public  eye,  having  no  intention 


127 


beyond  a  little  book  of  memorandum  for  his  own  private 
recurrence. 

As  our  last  day's  journey  was  wearing  away,  I  could 
not  avoid  meditating  on  the  history  of  the  last  ten  years. 
Recollecting  that  we  had  now  left  the  conquests  of  France, 
more  incorporated,  and  identified  with  herself,  I  could 
not  but  reflect  on  her  career,  and  how  short  her  stride, 
from  anarchy  to  permanent  government,  the  form  of  a 
mighty  empire.  In  1796  Bonaparte  had  commenced 
his  Italian  campaigns,  and  in  1800  he  had  attained  su- 
preme power.  We  were  shortly  to  see  this  celebrated, 
and  now  elevated  character,  and  the  government  and  forms, 
rising  from  a  new  order  of  things.  It  was  not,  however, 
without  painful  imaginations,  that  one  approached  the  city 
of  Paris.  The  recollection  of  the  multitude  of  lives  im- 
molated upon  the  shrine  of  sanguinary  ambition,  was  almost 
appalling.  The  best  and  most  enlightened  patriots  swept  off 
in  one  common  ruin, — theirremainsunhonoured,  and  their 
families  living  in  obscurity,  indigence,  and  misery.  It  was 
a  sickening,  yet  unavoidable  reflection.  And  is  this  city, 
I  meditated,' — is  this  city  to  be  stamped  with  infamy,  and 
marked  with  blood  for  ever  ?  Are  the  massacres,  and  re- 
ligious wars  of  old  times,  too,  to  rise  up,  and  add  to 
these  frightful  thoughts  ?  the  cold-blooded  tyranny  of 
Louis  the  11th — the  dreadful  era  of  Charles  the  9th — his 
perfidious  mother- — and  of  Henry  the  3d. — the  ambitious 
genius  keeping  alive  the  flame  of  discord,- — the  despotism 
of  Richelieu,  the  profligate  regent — Louis  the  15th  ener- 
vating their  minds  and  ruining  their  government — the  Car- 
lovingian  and  Capetian  races  now  extinct — the  last  of  the 
reigning  Capets  mouldering  in  some  disregarded  spot,  the 
victim  of  the  crimes  of  his  ancestors,  and  to  the  presump- 
tion of  a  blind  confederacy,  who  encouraged  and  prompt- 
ed his  want  of  good  faith,  and  could  not  support  him  in  the 

hands  of  an  enraged  people, — and  Bonaparte, the  first 

consul  of  France,  was  not  to  be  forgotten  at  the  moment 
of  entering  Paris.     Respecting   that  great  man,  I  felt  a 


128 


thousand  mixed  sensations, — attached  to  liberty,  and  exe- 
crating those  who  trample  it  down,  I  was  tempted  to  pro- 
nounce him  its  greatest  enem}-,  to  almost  abjure  the  idea 
of  seeing  him,  and  in  fancied  vindication  of  the  republic 
of  France's  wrongs,  to  consign  him  to  contempt  and  in- 
difference. But  where  am  I  wandering  ?  If  Bonaparte  be 
an  usurper,  it  is  France  which  must  pronounce  him  such, 

it  is  France  which  must  punish, — it    is    France    which 

must  dethrone.  A  stranger  travels  to  improve  his  mind, 
converse  with  men  of  genius,  and  to  view  what  is  curious 
and  interesting.  He  is  not  to  kindle  his  anger  against 
governments,  or  to  allow  himself  the  liberty  of  insulting, 
or  lowering  the  heads  of  nations.  By  these  meditations, 
I  calmed  the  wrath  of  that  zeal  which  was  blinding  me  ' 
and  remembering  the  description  of  the  wise  Ulysses, 

I  considered  that  knowledge  was  the  great  object,  and  that 
passion  interfering  must  be  very  adverse  to  a  clear  view 
of  things.  My  reader  may  easily  anticipate  the  remark, 
that  any  companion  of  Mr.  Fox  would,  if  not  incorrigibly 
stupid,  imbibe  such  a  mode  of  thinking  respecting  foreign 
powers  and  their  rulers.  Never  did  this  illustrious  man 
appear  more  truly  dignified  than  in  speaking  on  such  sub- 
jects ;  his  memory,  running  over  history  with  ease  and 
facility,  furnished  him  with  ample  demonstration,  that  civil 
wars  end  usually  in  the  domination  of  a  successful  general, 
•and  he  thought  it  idle  to  lament  over  this  inevitable 
effect. 

I    recollect    in    a    conversation  with   him,  comparing 
Bonaparte  to    Augustus,    on  his    attainment    of    power, 

"Surely    not    so    cruel!"    was    his    remark     in  reply. 

At  the  time  it  seemed  to  me  a  just  parallel,  but  it  doe,s 
not  now.  I  agree  with  Mr.  Fox  now,  that  there  is  not 
the  cruelty ;  and,  disdaining  the  cry  raised  to  inflame  the 
vulgar  mind,  do  not  at  all  think  it  necessary  to   exclaim.^ 


129 

against  vices  we  have  no  proof  of,  or  cruelties  very  diffi- 
cult to  be  ascertained,  if  practised  at  all. 

-  But  as  Paris  appeared  in  view,  all  my  reflections  gave 
way  to  pleasurable  ideas.  I  rejoiced  that  the  streets  were 
no  longer  deluged  \^ith  blood,  and  that  this  ingenious  and 
elegant  people  reposed  under  a  permanent  government; 
and  the  amazing  scene  of  splendor  and  novelty  which  I 
was  touching,  gave  me  an  indescribable  anxiety  to  be  per- 
mitted to  view  its  wonders.  Although  I  had  paid  due 
homage  to  the  solid  glories  of  Flanders,  and  was  of  opi- 
nion with  the  excellent  author  of  many  invaluable  works 
upon  agriculture,  "  that  in  estimating  human  happiness,  it 
is  not  a  bad  rule  to  suppose  that  where  there  is  most  show 
and  splendor  there  is  least  enjoyment ;"  yet  I  was  very 
sensible  to  the  advantages  of  a  temporary  elevation,  such 
as  mine,  in  society,  which  gave  me  an  opportunity,  with 
the  countenance,  and  under  the  protection  of  England's 
most  valued  character  upon  the  continent,  of  beholding 
every  thing  interesting  in  Paris. 

Our  books   were  now  laid  aside.     The  busy  town  was 
before  us.      Entering  one  of  the  Fauxbourg?,  we   passed 
through  the  triumphal  arch  erected,  I  think,  for  Louis  the 
14th,  and  shortly  found  ourselves  at  the   hotel    de  Riche- 
lieu, which   had  been  engaged  for    Mr.   Fox.      It  was  a 
striking  fact,  at  our  first  opening  our  eyes  in  Paris,  to  find 
ourselves  in  the  hotel   of  the   ci  devant  mareschal  due  de 
Richelieu,  one  of  the  first  and  oldest  peers  of  France,  un- 
der the  old  regime.      The  apartments   were    superb,    the 
garden  very  pretty,  and  an  air  of  grandeur  reigned  through 
the  whole.      This  was  now  a  common  hotel.      Such  was 
one  prominent  effect  of  a  revolution,   hurling  the  nobility 
and  higher  orders  from  aflluence,  and  a  most  disproportion- 
ate height  above  the  people,  down  to   want  and   degrada- 
tion.  I  believe  no  change  1  had  seen  on  the  continent  had 
struck  me   so  much.      I  felt  doubtful  where  I  was.     The 
furniture  was  superb,  the  rich  silk  hangings  were  eleganth' 

K 


# 


130 

disposed,  the  mirrors  were  noble,  and  the  toute  eyis.emble 
quite  worthy  of  its  former  noble  owners.  I  expected  to 
meet  a  mareschal  of  France  of  the  old  time,  at  every  turn, 
and  almost  doubted  whether  taking  a  turn  in  the  garden 
was  not  too  great  a  liberty.  The  shade  of  departed  great- 
ness seemed  everywhere.  There  was  much  of  the  mourn- 
ful in  this,  and  of  a  very  peculiar  kind ; — death,  melan- 
choly as  it  is,  is  not  half  so  much  so  as  that  dreary  void, 
occasioned  by  absence  and  calamity  !  One  searches  every 
where  for  something  wanting,  and  which  might  be  restor- 
ed— one  perceives  traces  of  former  happiness  rudely  inter- 
rupted— one  asks,  where  is  the  owner  of  these  deserted 
Walls ;  and  shall  he  not  return  ? 

Two  or  three  of  Mr.  Fox's  friends  came  to  him  on  the 
evening  of  his  arrival ;   and  seeing  this  great  man  happy, 
and  amongst  his  dear  English  friends  and  companions,  the 
mournful   impressions   I   had  received,  upon  entering  the 
hotel  de  Richelieu,  wore  away.      I  grew  reconciled  to  the 
mansion  of  the  ancient  noble.   New  and  pleasant  thoughts, 
created  by  the  visitors   to    Mr.   Fox,  began  to  arise.      I 
forgot  the  mareschal  due  de  Richelieu — the  French  revo- 
lution— its    calamities   and  consequences !    Amidst  all  the 
ease  of  polished  society,  the  independence  of  the  English- 
man  was   perceptible  on  all  sides — much  was  said  of  the 
amusements,  and  of  the    wonders   of  Paris,  very  little  of 
the   great   man.      There  is   a  noble  air  of  liberty  amongst 
the  nobility  and  higher  classes  of  Englishmen,  which,  ad- 
ded to  their  other  accomplishments,  make  them  appear  the 
most  respectable  of  their  class  in  Europe.      I  was  not  sor- 
ry to  see,  and   to  admire  this  in  Paris;   nor  was    I   less 
pleased  to   observe   Mr.    Fox's   old  and  constant  friends 
around  him.      So  little  was  this  truly  great  man  solicitous 
about  the  movements  of  courts,  or  the  attentions  they  be- 
stow, that  I  am    satisfied  he  did  not  bestow  one  thought, 
this  happy  evening,  upon  that  of  St.  Cloud.      He  was  very 
cheerful,  and  well  pleased  at  having  ended   his  journey-— 
r<^joiced  that  Mrs.    Fox  was  quite   well,   notwitlistanding 


131 

great  inconvenience  from  Keat — and  animated  by  the  novel 
scene,  and  variety  of  objects,  crowding  upon  his  attention. 

The  delightful  climate  of  Paris  added  to  the  charm. 
We  supped  in  the  garden  of  the  hotel.  Towards  the  end 
of  August  no  moisture,  no  wind  incommoded  us  ;  all  was 
serene  and  mild-~nothing  could  be  more  delicious— the 
fatigues  of  the  journey  were  past — and  we  turned  to  a 
new  scene,  with  health  unhurt,  and  spirits  increased.  Be- 
tween eleven  and  twelve,  retiring  to  rest,  we  rested  calmly, 
having  now  completed  a  little  tour,  which,  if  exceeded  in 
variety,  extent,  and  duration,  by  others,  was  as  rational 
and  pleasing,  and  comprised  within  it  as  m.uch  of  social 
enjoyment,  and  of  useful  observation,  as  any  ever  under- 
taken. 


^^'^ 


CHAPTER  VII, 


THE  various  points  of  attraction  in  Paris  irresisti- 
bly drew  the  mind  in  different  directions.  The  new 
government,  just  rendered  permanent  and  hereditary  ia 
Bonaparte,  was  presenting  itself  to  the  public  eye.  Under 
it,  the  stern  republican  and  angry  royalist  were  ranging 
themselves,  unable  to  struggle  against  an  order  of  things, 
emerging  from  that  chaos  of  conflicting  interests,  which 
until  now  had  agitated  the  interior  of  France. 

The  imposing  character  of  Bonaparte,  a  warrior  and  a 
statesman  of  no  common  note,  had  acquired  an  ascendancy 
which  he  was  admirably  qualified  to  maintain.  "  You  en- 
deavoured," said  he  to  Monsieur  La  Fayette,  on  his 
thanking  him  for  his  liberation  from  the  dungeons  of  Ger- 
many, "  to  establish  the  solecism  of  a  monarch  at  the  head 
of  a  republic."  A  thing  he  conceived  illusive  and  vain ; 
yet  he  was  now  himself  making  the  practical  experiment 
of  a  military  president  at  the  helm  for  life,  with  a  nation, 
organized  for  military  as  much  as  civil  purposes. 

I  soon  heard  it  whispered  that  the  consulship  for  life 
was  but  a  preliminary  step  to  the  assumption  of  higher 
dignity,  and  that  the  title  of  emperor  of  the  Gauls  was 
that  to  which  the  first,  consul  aspired.    It  was  not  thcB 


credited,  but  no  one  could  say  it  was  improbable  or  im- 
possible. All  this  at  first  seemed  to  me  an  outrage  upon 
liberty,  but  reflection  came  again  to  the  aid  of  my  judg- 
ment, and  required  a  fair  investigation  of  the  state  of 
France,  before  decision.  If  fluctuation  of  councils  be 
most  dangerous  at  all  times,  it  is  more  peculiarly  so  in  a 
new  state,  unqualified  by  Roman  simplicity,  and  grandeur 
of  character,  to  produce  successive  great  men,  with  the 
same  purity  of  motives  and  vigour  of  conduct.  A  direc- 
tory of  five  or  three,  changed  by  rotation  and  election, 
was  not  only  an  unwise,  but  an  unsafe  form  of  executive 
government,  and  a  permanency  for  life,  in  some  one  pe-r- 
son,   was  required. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  at  this  time  the  fixing  of  the 
consulship  for  life,  had  a  good  effect  upon  the  continent, 
and  added  much  to  the  respect  and  dignity  of  France,  in 
foreign  courts.  Peace  contributed  to  make  the  event  more 
striking.  The  European  powers,  fatigued  with  their  fruit- 
less coalitions  against  France,  and  discovering  that  their 
warfare  had  but  invigorated  and  aggrandized  her,  had  laid 
down  the  sword.  The  ambassadors  from  all  nations  crowd- 
ed to  Paris  to  pay  their  congratulations  to  the  first  consul, 
on  his  accession  to  permanent  and  supreme  power.  After 
an  unparalleled  struggle  of  more  than  ten  years,  France 
could  not  but  see  with  exultation,  grounded  on  a  sense  of- 
self-prescrvation,  and  of  vast  and  glorious  conquests 
combined,  her  capital  thus  crowded,  and  her  safety  and 
her  pre-eminence  so  triumphantly  achieved !  It  was  pri- 
vately stated,  that  when  Bonaparte  returned  from  Egypt, 
and  that  the  change  of  government  was  in  agitation,  he, 
Moreau,  and  Joubert,  had  been  thought  of  as  fit  heads  for 
the  republic ;  that  the  latter  had  been  nominated  by  the 
party  who  conceived  that  a  military  character  was  requisite 
at  the  head  of  the  nation,  and  that  after  he  lost  his  life  in 
battle,  Moreau  and  Bonaparte  were  those  to  whom  the 
armies  alone,  subsequently,  looked  up,  but  the  former  was 
i^nduced,  by  the  latter's  persuasions,  to  yield  his  pretensions 


154 


to  him.  Without  vouching  for  this,  I  cannot  assent  to  the 
opinion  that  Buonaparte  could  have  had  any  competitor  of 
a  formidable  nature,  either  upon  being  chosen  first  consul, 
©r  upon  his  attaining  the  consulship  for  life. 

Moreau  was  the  only  rival  he  had,  but  he  was  too  indo- 
lent, and  too  unfit  to  be  the  head  of  a  party  to  give  him 
much  trouble.  Moreau,  however,  even  at  this  brilliant 
moment  for  Buonaparte,  enjoyed  a  high  reputation  with 
the  army  and  nation,  and  I  am  quite  satisfied,  afterwards 
lost  all  his  reputation  and  weight  by  mismanagement  and 
imbecility,  very  inconsistent  with  his  former  character. 
Sufficient,, however,  may  be  deduced  from  these  opinions, 
having  existed  in  France,  if  the  facts  are  disputable,  to 
shew  that  it  was  the  general  sense  of  the  French,  that  one 
person  as  the  head  of  the  executive  was  wanted,  and  whe- 
ther Joubert,  Moreau,  or  Bonaparte,  had  been  selected, 
that  a  change  was  in  contemplation  as  necessary  and  indis- 
pensable ;  the  consulship  for  life  was  but  a  modification  of 
the  measure,  and  Bonaparte  in  procuring  it,  seemed  not 
much  to  shock  the  feelings  of  the  people,  nor  did  he 
violate  any  constitution,  as  there  was  none  of  permanence 
to  be  assailed  by  him. 

The  approaching  levee  at  the  Thuilleries,  which  was 
held  every  month,  as  it  was  the  first  after  this  remarkable 
era,  which  promised  to  be  a  memorable  one  for  France, 
we  accordingly  understood  would  be  most  splendid  and 
numerous.  Already  we  perceived  the  English  were  treated 
with  marked  civility  and  kindness,  and  the  great  rival  na- 
tion, England,  was  considered  as  the  equal  of  France, 
(and  all  others  as  inferiors)  in  glory  and  political  impor- 
tance. 

The  appearance  of  Paris  was  to  me  pleasing,  though 
the  narrowness  of  the  streets  and  the  want  of  foot^vays  on 
each  side  were  unpleasant  symptoms  of  a  former  disregard 
to  the  health  and  comfort  of  the  people.  As  yet  no  liveries 


135 


upon  servants,  or  arms  upon  carriages  were  seen ;  a  re- 
publican and  respectable  plainness  met  the  eye,  the  con- 
trast of  glaring  opulence,  and  decent  mediocrity,  was  not 
manifest,  and  this  agreeable  effect  of  the  revolution  re- 
mained, whilst  returning  good  sense  had  also  corrected 
that  frightful  extreme  of  slovenliness,  and  neglect  of  dress, 
which  a  republican  mania  had  consecrated,  as  a  test  of 
principle,  and  a  mark  of  patriotism! 

The  new  embroidered  dress  of  the  municipal  officers, 
caught  my  eye  in  the  streets ;  I  found  myself  in  Paris,  the 
seat  of  so  many  Bourbons,  once  almost  adored,   now  blot- 
ted from  the  calendar  of   sovereigns,    and  a  new  throne 
quietly  erecting  at  the   Thuilleries ;   a  new  dynasty,  se- 
curely placing  its  feet  upon  the  steps,  and  the  recently  ap- 
pointed officers  of  government,  performing  their  functions. 
One  could  not  but  feel  it  a  very  novel  moment  in  the  me- 
tropolis of  a  great  nation ;  the  whole  state  machinery  was 
opening  to  the  view  ;   every  wheel  was  beginning  to  move  ; 
the  first  impulse  was  given,  and  the  organized  mass,  obey- 
ing  the   master  hand,    received  motion    gradually,     and 
imparted  it  through  the   whole  French    territory.      This 
operation  in  society,    was  not  the  less   curious,    because 
it  was  taking  place  without  noise  or  agitation.  The  weari- 
ed nation  tacitly  approved  ;  peace  was  facilitating  the  work, 
and  the  fortunate  director  who  presided,  seemed  necessi- 
tated to  raise  himself,  to  preserve,  unhurt,  the  stupendous 
fabric  upon  which  hung  the  happiness  and  security  of  mil- 
lions.  Such  were  my  thoughts, — I  felt  almost  giddy  at  the 
view  ;   the   destiny  of  forty  millions  was  arranging  before 
my  eyes;  it  was  quite  impossible  for  a  number  of  English- 
men to  meet,   and  to  forbear  saying,   how  astonishing ; — - 
what  a  business  has  been  accomplished  by  Wiiliain  Pitt; 
— what  ?i  friend  has  he  been  to  the  fortunes  of  Bonaparte. 

Another  striking  result,  also,  of  the  coalition  war  await- 
ed us  in  Paris.  Here  all  was  gold  and  silver.  In  London, 
^  few  guineas  were  with  great  difficulty  procured  from  a 


136 

banker,  as  a  matter  of  favour ;  in  Paris,  the  banker  gave 
you  your  choice,  silver  or  gold,  and  both  were  plentiful ; 
England  having  nothing  but  paper^  and  France  nothing 
but  gold  and  silver  ;  a  fact  which  spoke  very  intelligible 
language.  How  much  should  I  have  rejoiced  that  Mr. 
Pitt,  accompanied  by  some  vociferating  members  of  parli- 
ament, or  interested  merchants,  had  been  led  to  a  Parisiaa 
banker's  desk,  and  interrogated  upon  this  difference. 

The  phenomenon  of  abundance  of  gold  and  silver  in 
France,  and  of  nothing  to  be  seen  but  paper  in  England, 
gave  a  short  and  pithy  demonstration,  how  much  the  con- 
dition of  the  first  had  improved  ;  how  much  the  latter 
had  deteriorated  in  the  course  of  the  coalition  war.  The 
English  minister's  declarations  proved,  as  well  as  those  of 
the  bank,  to  be  promises  which  were  never  to  be  paid. 
This  plain  proof  addressed  to  the  senses,  was  of  mighty 
value,  after  a  contest,  wherein  right  and  wrong,  practica- 
ble and  impossible,  true  and  false,  had  been  so  much  con- 
founded, that  men  began  to  distrust  their  own  under- 
standings. 

The  stranger's  first  visit  is  probably  to  his  banker,  and 
his  next  is  to  the  theatre.  As  Mr.  Fox  found  himself  hap- 
pily reunited  to  lord  Holland  and  his  family,  after  a  con- 
siderable separation,  we  dined  with  them,  and  in  the 
evening  went  to  the  Theatre  Francois.  Upon  entering  a 
French  theatre  for  the  first  time,  an  Englishman  finds  a 
good  deal  to  reconcile  himself  to.  The  want  of  powerful 
light  throughout  the  house,  intended  to  give  greater  effect 
to  the  stage,  offends  his  taste  at  first,  but  he  will  end  in 
approving,  if  he  be  not  determined  to  prefer  all  the  cus- 
toms of  England.  The  darkness  of  the  house,  where  the 
audience  sit,  gives  greater  effect  to  the  brilliancy  of  the 
stage.  Whoever  has  viewed  with  rapture  the  lofty  sides  of 
a  distant  glen,  illuminated  by  an  evening  sun,  whilst  the 
country  and  the  nearer  parts  were  in  shade,  may  conceive 
how  much  more  effective  and  agreeable  to  nature's  best 


137 

appearance,  this  manner  of  lighting  the  French  stage  is, 
than  that  of  throwing  a  noon  day  glare  over  every  object, 
and  destroying  all  contrast  as  well  as  shade. 

It  is  at  a  Parisian  theatre  that  the  character  of  the  people 
is  truly  displayed.  The  most  profound  attention,  the 
liveliest  sensibility,  the  enthusiastic  encouragement,  afford- 
ed to  the  favourite  or  promising  actors  or  actresses,- — the 
instant  reprobation  and  punishment  of  noise  or  tumult — 
tears  flowing  profusely  and  unchecked,  from  male  and  fe- 
male spectators,  at  every  pathetic  and  affecting  passage  of 
the  piece,  if  tragic;  with  unrestrained  cheerfulness,  if 
comic  : — and  a  just  and  honourable  sympathy  with  every 
noble  and  grand  sentiment, — proved  to  me,  that  this  peo- 
ple deserved  the  character  they  have  so  long  established 
on  the  continent  for  taste  and  elegance. 

The  piece  we  saw  was  Andromaque^  in  which  Made- 
moiselle  Duschenois,  as  Hermione^  obtained  and  deserved 
great  applause.  The  French  declamation  is  at  first  rather 
painful  to  an  English  ear,  and  I  think  a  less-measured 
style,  and  studied  tone,  would  much  improve  it.  The 
unpleasantness  wore  quickly  off,  however,  and  I  venture 
to  pronounce  that  the  passion,  gesture,  and  tones,  the 
gracefulness  and  sublime  energy,  which  distinguish  the 
French  stage,  are  unrivalled.  The  shortness  of  the  inter- 
vals between  the  acts  are  peculiarly  favourable  to  preserv- 
ing the  interests  of  the  play.  The  actors  seem  to  be  hur- 
ried on  by  the  torrent  of  their  feelings ;  there  is  no  looking 
at  the  audience,  and  studying  to  catch  their  applause ;  but 
the  action  is  maintained  with  such  animation,  that  one  may 
forget  their  situation,  and  conceive  ourselves  overhearing 
the  dialogue,  and  witnesses  of  actual  events  in  human  life. 

Mr.  Fox  enjoyed  the  French  theatre  very  much ;  artd 
as  Racine  was  his  favourite  dramatic  author,  we  went  very 
shortly  again  to  see  "  Phedrd^'*  performed  at  the  same  the- 
atre.    My  readers,  who  know  the  Greek  original,  from 


138 


whence  Racine  has  taken  his  play,  are  acquainted  with  the 
interesting  character  of  Phedra  in  Euripides.  They  may 
imagine  that  I  could  not  go  in  such  company,  and  to  such 
a  performance,  without  a  lively  and  anxious  solicitude. 
I  had,  along  with  Mr.  Fox,  much  admired  the  Phedra  of 
Euripides' — there  is  something  so  touching  in  her  despair, 
and  the  passion  of  love  is  so  powerfully  pourtrayed  by  the 
author,  that  I  had  long  viewed  it  as  a  master-piece.  On 
this  occasion,  too,  I  prepared  myself,  by  reading  Phedra 
previously  aloud  to  Mrs.  Fox,  who  wished  to  hear  me 
read  it  to  her ;  which  precaution,  to  those  who  may  here- 
after visit  Paris,  I  recommend  very  strongly :  if  the  ear  is 
not  very  familiar  with  the  language  and  declamation,  some 
of  the  beauties  may  be  lost,  and  the  interest  of  the  play  be 
somewhat  weakened. 

As  I  considered  that  I  should  see  a  classic  performance 
of  Phedra,  and  that  the  French  actors  were  assimilated  to 
those  of  Greece,  in  passion  and  energy,  my  expectation  was 
much  raised,  and  I  prepared  myself  with  all  my  enthusi- 
asm for  the  Greek  stage,  for  a  lively  exhibition  of  its  beau- 
ties. Mr.  Fox  was  a  good  deal  amused,  and  not  dis- 
pleased at  this  enthusiasm.  On  this  occasion,  he  was 
very  soon  recognised  by  the  audience  in  the  pit:  every 
eye  was  fixed  on  him,  and  every  tongue  resounded  Fox! 
Fox! — The  whole  audience  stood  up,  and  the  applause 
was  universal.  He,  alone,  to  whom  all  this  admiration 
was  paid,  was  embarrassed.  His  friends  were  gratified 
by  the  honour  bestowed  on  this  great  man,  by  a  foreign, 
and  till  lately  hostile  people.  It  was  that  reward  which 
crowned  heads  cannot  purchase — respect  and  gratitude 
from  his  fellow-men,  for  his  exertions  in  favour  of  huma- 
nity, and  an  honourable  peace.  So  unwilling  was  Mr.  Fox 
to  receive  the  applause  as  personal,  that  he  could  not  be 
prevailed  upon  to  stand  forward ;  nor  when  his  name,  re- 
peatedly pronounced,  left  no  doubt  of  the  matter,  could  he 
bring  himself  to  make  any  obedience  or  gesture  of  thanks* 
No  man  had  ever  less  vanity,  or  rather  was  so  totally  de- 


139 

void  of  it  as  Mr.  Fox,  and,  perhaps,  through  the  genuine 
modesty  of  his  nature,  he  seemed  deficient,  on  this  occa- 
sion, in  respect  to  the  audience. 

As  the  play  proceeded,  Phedra,  the  unfortunate  and 
interesting  Phedra,  seized  upon  our  attention.  Made- 
moiselie  Duschenois  was  in  some  parts  very  happy,  and 
her  dress  was  antique  and  correct.  When  she  became 
overwhelmed  with  langour,  sickness  and  love ;  when  she 
says, 

**  Otez  ces  vains  orneiwcns," 

her  tone  of  despair  and  abandonment  was  inimitable ;  as 
also  when  raising  her  eyes  with  fixed  melancholy,  she 
exclaims, 

,  **  Soleil,  je  te  vois  pour  la  derniere  fois." 

Her  scene  with  her  nurse,  when  she  struggles  to  conceal, 
yet  wishes  to  tell,  the  name  of  him  she  in  silence  adored, 
— the  burst  of 

"  C'est  toi,  qui  I'a  nomm^e," 

was  most  naturally  uttered. 

The  Phedra  of  Racine  was  a  character  much  admired 
by  Mr.  Fox ;  he  conceived  it  an  improvement,  in  many 
respects,  upon  that  of  Euripides,  and  we  returned  home, 
much  gratified  by  this  representation  of  it.  The  acting 
was  very  good,  and  it  will  be  long  ere  memory  yields  up 
the  varied  impressions  of  that  night. 

We  saw  the  first  consul  in  his  box  for  the  first  time : 
the  light  was  thrown  from  the  stage  upon  his  face,  so  as  to 
give  an  unfavourable  and  ghastly  effect.  I  could  not 
judge  well  of  his  countenance.  He  was  received  with 
some  applause,  but  much  inferior  to  that  bestowed  on 
Mr.  Foxo 


CHAPTER  VIIL 


NO  one  could  be  in  Paris,  and  not  feel  a  powerful 
desire  to  view  those  productions  of  art  and  genius,  the 
accumulated  fruits  of  successful  war.  Shortly  after  our 
arrival,  therefore,  we  hastened  to  the  museum  of  pictures 
in  the  Louvre.  Mr.  Fox  smiled  as  he  entered,  and  seemed 
plainly  to  say,  here  are  the  fruits  of  conquest !  What  an 
elevation  has  been  given  to  France  ! 

It  was,  in  truth,  stupendous ;  and  most  wonderful  to  be- 
hold the  immense  gallery  of  the  Louvre  covered  with  the 
choicest  paintings  of  Italy,  Germany,  Flanders,  and  Hol- 
land. It  is  quite  impossible  to  convey  an  idea  of  this 
magnificent  sight.  All  nations  have  at  times  availed 
themselves  of  the  opportunities  afforded  by  conquest,  to 
carry  off  rich  spoils,  and  adorn  their  triumphs,  their  tem- 
ples, and  their  metropolis  with  them.  The  French,  in 
this  case,  did  but  follow  their  example ;  and  it  was,  un- 
doubtedly, a  stroke  of  good  policy,  to  make  Paris  so  rich 
in  this  respect,  that  opulent  strangers  migVit  be  attracted 
from  all  countries  in  times  of  peace.  This  stupendous 
collection  of  paintings,  as  well  as  of  statues  and  busts, 
was  thrown  open  to  the  public  gratis  :  many  of  the  mean^ 
est  inhabitants  qf  Paris,  decently  clad,  were  seen  walking 


141 


about,  and  enjoying  this  wonderful  display  of  art.  Senti- 
nels, placed  at  the  doors,  admitted  every  body,  and  with 
that  politeness,  common  to  the  French  soldiery,  and  so 
very  desirable  at  places  of  public  exhibition,  directed  to 
the  proper  entrance  all  who  applied  for  admittance.  This 
liberality,  worthy  of  a  national  exhibition,  was  a  pleasing 
prelude  to  the  magnificent  sight,  which  instantly  presented 
itself.  The  arrangement  of  the  whole  was  formed  with 
the  greatest  care,  and  no  picture  has  been  allowed  to  be 
placed  in  this  collection,  but  such  as  had  been  approved 
of  by  a  select  committee. 

Mr.  Fox  manifested  inexpressible  pleasure  on  entering  : 
here  his  fine  taste,  and  perfect  knowledge  of  paintings,  had 
an  ample  field  ;  and  he  frequently  afterwards  repaired  to 
the  museum,  at  the  Louv^re,  with  increasing  delight.  In 
fact,  the  gallery  was  so  long  that,  at  first,  the  spectator  was 
dazzled  and  overcome,  and  incapable  of  rightly  enjoying 
the  glorious  view  of  such  a  multitude  of  the  noblest  pro- 
ductions in  the  world :  it  required  time  and  repeated 
visits,  to  possess  ones-self  by  degrees  of  all  the  innumera- 
ble excellencies  of  this  wonderful  collection.  I  am  sure 
that  a  six  months'  residence  in  Paris  would  not  have  been 
more  than  sufficient  fon  this  purpose.  The  statues,  which 
were  excellently  arranged  in  apartments  below,  were,  if 
possible  more  interesting  than  the  pictures.  There  we 
saw  the  productions  of  Greece  and  Rome ;  the  Belvidere 
Apollo  breathing  fire,  and  with  a  superhuman  air,  starting 
forward,  and  filling  the  mind  with  sacred  awe  !  the  strug- 
gling Laocoon,  agonized  by  paternal  sorrow,  and  corporeal 
pain  !  Demosthenes,  Menander,  Socrates;  these,  and 
many  others,  formed  a  still  more  interesting,  though  not  so 
astonishing,  an  exhibition  as  that  above :  both  are  greatly 
calculated  to  improve  and  refine  the  public  taste  :  the  fre- 
quent viewing  of  them  must  sensibly  operate  even  upon 
the  most  uninformed  minds.  Artists  were  permitted  to 
study  and  copy,  and  every  facility  was  afforded  them  in 
their  pursuits.  Paris  at  this  time  had  drawn  to  it  manj^ 
of  England's  eminent  painters   and  amateurs.     They,  of 


t 


142 

course,  were  often  found  at  the  Louvre,  and  the  conversa- 
tions and  remarks  in  such  a  scene  were  instructive  and 
pleasing. 

I  have  heard  Mr.  Fox,  in  company  with  Mr.  West, 
and  the  lamented  Mr.  Opie,  at  different  times,  maintain 
animated  discussions  on  the  merits  of  the  various  painters 
of  the  Italian  and  Flemish  schools.  He  was  quite  master 
of  these  subjects,  and  was  much  pleased  with  such  discus- 
sions. On  these  occasions,  he  displayed  great  vivacity  and 
judgment ;  and  it  was  quite  an  agreeable,  as  well  as  novel 
thing,  to  hear  the  profound  statesman  and  politician  un- 
bend himself  with  men  of  genius :  professed  painters  exa- 
mine every  shade  of  error,  every  degree  of  excellency,  and 
with  all  the  poet's  feeling,  and  the  painter's  judgment,  de- 
cide upon  them.  This  may  be  thought,  however,  the  less 
surprising,  if  the  strong  connexion  between  the  arts  of 
poetry  and  painting  be  taken  into  the  question. 

Mr.  Fox's  passionate  love  of  the  poets  has  already  been 
noticed.  He  who  has  the  soul  of  a  poet,  must  feel  strongly, 
and  discriminate  well,  in  regard  to  painting.  I  shall 
mention  a  few  of  the  pictures  most  liked  and  studied  by 
him. 

St.   Roch  in  Prison. 
Virgin  and  Child  Asleep. 
Colouring  and  Design. 
Saints  Protectors  of  Boulogne. 
Paris  and  Hebe, 
Massacre  of  the  Innocents. 
Head  of  Christ. — Guido. 
Martyrdom  of  St.  Peter. —  Titian* 
St.  Jerome. 

St.  Agnts»-^Domenichino» 
Holy  Family.' — Corregio, 
Transfiguration. — RaphaeL 
Descent  from  the  Cross. 


14S 

Crucifixion. — iRubens. 

Le  Defaite  de  Porus. — Le  Brun, 

Attending  the  Sick. — Gerard  Dow* 

St.  Petronille. 

Circumcision.*— Gwerc/tzno. 

Of  the  pictures  which  Mr.  Fox  most  admired,  his 
greatest  favourite  was  the  St.  Jerome  of  Domenichino : 
nothing,  indeed,  can  be  more  excellent.  The  old  man, 
worn  out  and  exhausted,  is  communicating  for  the  last 
time,  perhaps ;  his  devotion  is  so  pure  and  fervent,  that, 
though  his  emaciated  form  seems  scarce  capable  of  retain- 
ing the  fleeting  breath  of  the  venerable  saint,  yet  this  sa- 
cred religious  rite  reanimates  him  ;  the  trembling  hand 
which  is  extended  to  receive  the  sacrament ;  the  reviving 
look ;  the  adoration  and  hope  in  the  countenance  ;  the 
eflbrt  to  raise  himself  up,  and  the  serene  air  of  consola- 
tion, which  appears  to  have  soothed  every  pang,  and  con- 
verted pain  and  sickness  into  placid  joy,  have  the  most 
happy  effect  possible.  Often  has  Mr.  Fox  stood  ad- 
miring this  noble  production; — often  and  often  has  he 
returned  to  view  it,  and  again  was  I  myself  induced  to 
consider  how  much,  and  in  every  way  had  this  great  man 
been  misrepresented.  He  who  had  been  held  forth  as  de- 
void of  principle,  a  revolutionist,  and  contemner  of  civil 
and  religious  establishments,  was  here,  unaffectedly,  be- 
stowing his  warmest  admiration  upon  the  affecting  repre- 
sentation of  the  celebration  of  the  most  sacred  of  christian 
rites.  I  myself  felt  some  surprise,  though  without  rea- 
son, unless  that  the  impressions  made  upon  the  public  in 
England  to  Mr.  Fox's  disadvantage,  had  imperceptibly 
taken  possession  of  my  mind,  and  that  I  had,  unawares 
to  myself,  conceived  that  he  was  but  very  slightly  tinc- 
tured with  religious  feeling.  With  the  St.  Jerome  of  Do- 
menichino, Mr.  Fox  was  never  wearied  ;  it  was  the  ob- 
ject in  the  museum  which  most  fixed  him  ;  and,  as  I  have 
beheld  him  frequently  indifferent  and  unmoved,  amidst 
the  splendor  and  flattery  of  a  courr^,  and  of  crowds  of  per 


144 


sons  of  rank,  before  this  admirable  picture,  I  ever  saw  him. 
filled  with  unfeigned  rapture.  It  may  be  well  imagined,  that 
it  was  not  the  inimitable  fidelity  and  exquisite  representation 
of  nature  in  the  emaciated  saint,  so  much  as  the  expression 
and  tone  of  the  picture,  which  arrested  the  attention  of 
such  a  mind  as  Mr.  Fox's.  With  Mrs.  Fox  and  myself 
he  has  often  stood  pointing  out  the  beauties,  and  dwelling 
on  the  divine  effect  of  the  piece :  his  wish  extended  no 
farther  than  to  communicate  his  sentiments,  and  awaken 
the  observation  of  his  domestic  circle  respecting  the  value 
of  this  interesting  chef  d'^osuvre  of  art,  and  awful  delinea- 
tion of  a  dying  christian  father  of  the  primitive  church. 
His  powerful  and  unclouded  intellect  dwelt  upon  it  with 
secret  gratification,  and  in  contemplating  it,  all  thought  of 
politics,  of  the  ambitionof  kings,  and  elevation  of  generals, 
was  totally  lost. 

Nothing  could  be  more  genuine,  too,  than  his  admira- 
tion of  paintings  ;  it  was  not  the  over-acted  rapture  of 
the  connoisseur  panting  for  reputation,  but  the  warm  and 
natural  homage  to  genius  and  nature,  which  he  paid  to 
Raphael,  Titian,  Rubens,  Guido,  or  Domenichino,  as  well 
as  to  Homer,  Virgil,  or  Ariosta. 

Two  days  after  our  arrival  in  Paris,  we  went  to  see  the 
palace  of  Versailles.  This  stupendous  edifice  stands  a 
grand  and  indeed  an  awful  monument  of  the  ostentation  of 
a  haughty  dynasty,  secure  of  a  long  undisturbed  sway  for 
ages  to  come.  We  did  not  go  into  the  palace,  as  it  was 
stripped  of  its  furniture,  and  this  cumbrous  pile  seemed 
little  to  suit  Mr.  Fox's  taste,  A  great  profusion  of  orange 
trees  were  still  in  fine  preservation  in  the  gardens.  The 
water  works  were  out  of  order ;  there  was  a  dreary  silence 
around,  and  nothing  interesting  in  the  scene.  The  pride 
of  despotism  had  erected  a  mansion  for  its  display  of 
pomp :  a  galled  and  oppressed  people  had  paid,  with  the 
fruit  of  their  labour,  for  its  erection  :  here  their  haughty 
and  unfeeling  kings  rioted,  and  forgetting  the  miseries  of 


145 


their  subjects,  added  to  them  by  their  selfish  extravaganccj 
and  bestowed  on  profligate  courtiers  what  would  have 
made  merit  happy,  and  caused  genius  to  expand  and 
bloom  !  There  was  nothing  to  regret.  The  vacuum  which 
had  taken  place  of  royal  revelry,  and  crowds  of  courtiers, 
was  dull,  but  not  distressing  to  the  feelings.  I  did  not 
wonder  that  Mr.  Fox  viewed  the  scene  with  indifference, 
and  I  felt  no  disappointment  at  our  leaving  it  without  ex- 
ploring the  empty  apartments  of  the  palace. 

We  went  afterwards  to  the  Petit  Trianon,  formerly  a 
favourite  residence,  as  a  little  country  retreat  of  the  unfor- 
tunate queen  of  Louis  the  16th.  It  was  now  a  tavern. 
The  gilding  and  ornaments  still  decorated  many  of  the 
rooms ;  and  the  gardens,  which  were  very  pretty,  and 
formed  after  the  English  manner,  exhibited  many  vesti- 
ges of  rural  taste  and  elegance.  Here  the  lovely  and  un- 
fortunate Maria  Antoinette  had  often  dressed  as  a  shep- 
herdess, enjoyed,  along  with  a  private  circle,  in  rural  ha- 
bits, and  exchanged  the  fatigues  of  royalty  for  innocent 
and  humble  amusements.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox  were  much 
pleased  with  these  gardens.  There  was  great  simplicity  in 
them,  and  the  interest  excited  by  them  was  different  indeed 
from  the  sensation  at  Versailles.  The  ruined  cottage  and 
gr^ss-grown  walk,  where  the  queen  had  once  passed  her 
happiest  hours,  were  mournful  records  of  this  charming 
and  unfortunate  woman's  melancholy  fall. 

A  large  party  dined  at  the  Petit  Trianon  this  day,  and 
walked  through  the  gardens  previous  to  dinner.  General 
Fitzpatrick,  the  early  and  constant  friend  of  Mr.  Fox,  in 
whom  elegance  and  acumen  of  taste,  polished  and  digni- 
fied manners,  and  unaffected  goodness,  were  united :  whose 
mind  embraced  the  range  of  poetry  and  criticism,  and 
whose  attachment  to  .liberty  and  Fox  were  rational,  steady, 
and  unchanged,  was  one  of  the  company.  Lord  R.  Spen- 
cer, another  valuable  and  cherished  friend  of  Mr.  Fox, 
possessing  the  genuine  c\ignity  of  the  noble^nan;  accurate 


146 


in  judgment,  plain  in  manners,  friendly  in  his  deportment  5 
•saying  at  times  but  little,  but  always  speaking  with  dis- 
crimination and  good  sense  ;  benignant  and  unassuming, 
he  left  to  others  the  glare  of  words,  and  rested  tranquilly 
upon  his  sincerity,  and  intrinsic  value  for  that  estimation 
he  merited.  Lord  Holland,  whose  presence  was  always 
pleasing  and  grateful  to  Mr.  Fox,  and  who  enlivened  so- 
ciety by  playful  and  happy  remarks,  lady  Holland,  and 
other  persons  of  distinction  were  there. 

I  could  have  wished  to  have  walked  in  these  gardens 
idone,  or  that  Mr.  Fox's  family  only  had  been  there !  The 
tone  of  melancholy  which  is  generated  by  memorials,  how- 
ever simple,  of  the  misfortunes  and  departed  happiness  of 
others,  does  not  agree  with  the  gaiety  of  large  parties ; 
the  respect  due  to  calamity  makes  one  wish  to  re- 
flect in  silence ;  to  wander  with  one  or  two  through  the 
abode  of  those  whose  long  absence  is  marked  by  desola- 
tion and  neglect.  The  feelings,  the  scene,  and  the  com- 
pany, ought  all  to  harmonize,  where  a  strong  association 
of  ideas  produces  affecting  recollections.  I  was  glad  to 
get  a  little  apart  from  the  brilliant  party,  who  conversed 
beneath  the  fine  trees,  which  sheltered  them  from  a  burn- 
ing sun.  I  felt  inclined  to  look  back  on  the  hapless 
queen's  past  life  with  tender  indulgence.  This  altered 
scene  of  playful  mirth  and  tranquil  enjoyment,  inspired 
one  with  a  favourable  opinion  of  her  mind  ;  she  was  not 
cruel,  vindictive,  or  treacherous  ;  all  the  feelings  of  a  fe- 
male, were  in  her  alive  and  unperverted  ;  indulgence,  and 
the  luxury  of  a  court,  like  that  of  France,  spoiled,  and. 
enfeebled  her  mmd  ;  but  she  who  took  pleasure  in  this 
charming  and  unostentatious  retreat,  and  relished  the 
adorning  and  improving  a  little  spot,  dedicated  to  peace 
and  rural  retirement,  did  not  deserve,  to  expiate  common 
errors  upon  a  scaffold,  and  to  become;  a  victim  to  a  blood- 
thirsty party,  for  the  misconduct  of  a  pusillanimous  king, 
and  profligate  or  ineflicient  minister;s. 


147 

The  party  at  Trianon  was,  however,  a  most  agreeable 
one,  and  with  it  terminated  the  short  time  given  to  recre- 
ation and  repose  by  Mr.  Fox,  previous  to  commencing 
his  historical  researches  at  the  Bureau  des  Affaires 
Etrangeres.  On  the  fourth  day  after  his  arrival  in  Paris, 
he  commenced  his  labours.  The  worthy  and  respectable 
lord  St.  John,  Mr.  Adair,  lately  ambassador  at  Constanti- 
nople, closely  attaching  himself  to  Mr.  Fox,  and  disposed 
to  foreign  and  diplomatique  researches,  (a  disposition 
which  he  subsequently  displayed  at  Vienna,  in  a  manner 
reflecting  infinite  credit  on  himself,  and  doing  honour  to 
Mr.  Fox's  appointment,)  and  myself,  accompanied  and 
regularly  attended  Mr.  Fox  to  the  French  archives  every 
day,  from  eleven  to  three. 

Lord  Holland,  in  the  preface  to  his  historical  work, 
which  is  too  extended  for  a  preface,  and  too  short  for  a 
memoir,  has  given  but  a  faint  idea  of  his  assiduity  and  per- 
severance in  this  research.  Relinquishing  much  of  the 
gratifications  of  which  his  friends  and  countrymen  were 
daily  partaking,  leaving  the  various  political  characters 
in  Paris  to  themselves,  and  denying  himself  much  of  that 
enjoyment  of  every  thing  exquisite  and  sublime  in  art, 
which  everywhere  was  presenting  itself;  he  devoted  himself 
to  his  object  with  sincerity,  and  intense  application.  The 
letters  of  Barillon,  we  found  abundantly  entertaining.  Mr. 
Fox  had  great  anxiety  to  ascertain  the  extent  of  James 
the  Second's  meanness,  in  his  transactions  with  the  French 
court.  When  he  came  to  the  passage  of  Barillon's  letter 
of  the  26th  February,  1685,  where  he  tells  of  the  gratitude 
of  James,  for  the  first  advance  of  money  made  by  Louis ; 
he  could  not  restrain  the  expression  of  his  indignation 
and  contempt,  which  are  strongly  visible  in  his  historic 
fragment.  It  is  as  follows  ; — '^  le  prince  fut  extremement 
surpris,  et  me  dit,  les  larmes  aux  yeux,  "  II  n'appar- 
tient  qu'au  roi,  votre  maitre,  d'agir  d'une  maniere  si  noble, 
et  si  pleine  de  bonte  pour  moi :  je  vous  avoue  que  je  suis 
plus  sensible   a  ce  qu'il  fait,  en  cela   qu'a  tout  ce  qui  peul 


ua 

arriver  dans  la  suite  de  ma  vie  :  car  je  vois  clairement  le 
fonds  de  son  cceur  et  combien  il  a  env  ie  que  mes  affaires 
prosperent  :  il  a  ete  au  des  besoins  :  je  ne  saurois  jamais 
assez  reconnoitre  untel  procede  ;  temoignez  lui  ma  recon- 
noissance  et  soyez  garant  de  Pattachment  que  j'aurai  toute 
ma  vie  pour  lui." 

The  letters  of  Barillon  contain  curious  and  ampl^  infor- 
mation relating  to  James's  motives  and  intentions ;  and  I 
think,  the  noble  editor  of  the  fragment  would  have  done 
well  to  affix  a  translation  of  them  to  it,  as  there  are  read- 
ers, either  incompetent,  or  unwilling  to  go  through  them, 
who  might  derive  benefit  from  them  in  an  English 
dress. 

Mr.  Fox,  in  his  progress,  was  also  much  amused  by 
the  tone  assumed  by  Louis,  that  he  would  not  abandon 
James,— that  he  approved  of  such  and  such  things,  though 
he  felt  no  small  disgust  at  the  self  degradation  of  an  En- 
glish monarch,  under  an  insolent  and  ambitious  French 
court.  He  read  and  transcribed  himself  with  alacrity,  and 
good  humour,  and  exacted  no  trouble  from  others,  in  which 
he  did  not  himself  fully  participate. 

The  politeness  of  the  keeper  of  the  archives  was  so 
great,  that  we  had  but  to  mention  the  year  and  the  subject, 
and  the  volume  was  handed  to  us  in  rooms,  solely  appro- 
priated to  Mr.  Fox's  use ;  pens,  ink,  paper,  and  every 
other  accommodation,  were  afforded.  This  occupation  of 
reading  and  transcribing,  and  of  eliciting  historic  truths, 
he  steadily  pursued,  with  the  liveliest  interest,  and  unre- 
mitting attention  for  two  months. 

In  his  subsequent  progress,  he  was  very  desirous  of 
.ascertaining  the  points  relative  to  James's  receiving  addi- 
tional sums,  after  his  first  and  early  remittances  from  France, 
through  the  hands  of  Barillon ;  as  the  disingenuousness  of 
James,  and  the  suspicions  of  Louis,  operated  in  the  affair, 


149 

the  inv^tigation    grew  more  difficult  and  more  doubtful. 
James  pressed  for  money, — Louis  craftily  withheld  it;  the 
French  king  desired  to  commit  the  English  monarch  com- 
pletely, that  all  his  views,  (and  they  were  those  of  a  des- 
potic master)  might  be  observed.    The  abject  and  narrow 
minded  James,  thus  degraded,  through  his  hatred  to  liberty, 
feared  to  involve  himself  too  far,  without  ample  funds  in  pos- 
session. Their  conduct  resembled  that  of  two  sharpers,  un- 
willing to  trust  one  another.     The  one  demanded  previous 
payment,  the  other  desired  to  receive  value  before  he  ad- 
vanced any  thing ;  and  both  hesitated,  as  each  endeavoured 
to  gain  the  advantJ^ge  over  the  other.      It  seemed  that  no- 
thing short  of  James  declaring  the  catholic  the  established 
religion,  and  abstaining  from  all  foreign  treaties  and  alli- 
ances, would  have  satisfied  Louis,  and  that,  even  then,  he 
would  have  reserved  his  money  if  possible ;   but  thajt  the 
wretched  James  was  not  so  devoid  of  penetration,  as  not 
to  know  that  he  risked  his  crown  already  by  his  measures, 
and  tha^  to  satisfy  Louis,  he  must  risk  it  infinitely  more. 
For  this,   he  pressed   for   money  to   secure  himself,  but 
Louis   demurred.      Happily  for   England,  Louis   greatly 
miscalculated  and  resisted  all  the  intreaties  of  his  ambas- 
sador, and  all  the  prayers  and  remonstrancs  of  James. 

The  letters  of  M.  D'Avaux  and  M.  Bonrepos,  were 
examined  also  by  Mr.  Fox.  What  a  disagreeable  kind  of 
subject  that,  of  the  combined  dissimulation  and  frauds  of 
the  royal  personages  concerned,  for  such  a  mind  as  that 
of  Mr.  Fox !  He  was  in  the  end,  wearied  and  disgusted  by 
the  examination  of  these  papers,  but  the  elucidation  of  truth 
consoled  him,  and  the  detection  of  the  mistakes  and  false- 
hoods of  historians,  made  him  some  cpmpensation  for  his 
labours. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


WHILE  Mr.  Fox  was  thus  usefully  and  innocently 
employed  in  the  national  archives,  he  did  not  abstain  from 
the  amusements  and  society  which  Paris  so  richly  aiForded  : 
but  to  these  he  gave  his  evenings.  When  the  good,  yet 
prejudiced,  people  of  London  (in  consequence  of  old  and 
not  yet  effaced  calumnies),  imagined  that  he  was  passing 
his  days  and  evenings  with  French  politicians  and  ministers, 
and  plotting  new  ways  to  return  to  power,  he  was  devoting 
his  time  to  historical  investigations  in  the  morning,  and  to 
instructive  society,  or  the  rational  or  innocent  amusements 
of  Paris. 

To  one  of  the  latter  we  went,  shortly  after  our  arrival, 
it  was  called  Tivoli,  and  was  an  illuminated  garden,  which 
seemed  decked  by  the  hands  of  fairies,  and  beautifully  laid 
out.  On  entering,  innumerable  sports  and  entertainments 
struck  the  enchanted  eye — all  was  animation  and  elegance. 
On  a  large  platform  were  country  dancers  and  other  per- 
sons performing— -here  was  a  small  piece  of  water,  and  a 
boat  and  oars,  for  the  younger  parties — there  were  little 
parties  in  bowers;  with  music  and  various  refreshments 
everywhere — beauty  and  grace  gave  enchantment  to  the 
scene,  and  the  charming  female  figures,  who  glided  about. 


151 

were  dangerously  fascinating.  Vauxhall  is  excellent  in  its 
way  ;  but  these  French  gardens  combine  all  the  fancied  de- 
lights of  oriental  tales.  The  mind  is  lost  in  a  perpetual 
circle  of  pleasures — it  is  here  that  age  itself  is  exhilarated, 
and  applauds  the  lively  dance  and  playful  sports  it  can  no 
longer  enjoy.  Here  rank  lays  aside  its  pomp  and  ceremo- 
ny, pride  forgets  its  haughtiness,  and  enraptured  youth 
feels  a  thousand  delicious  sensations.  The  charm  of  a 
serene  night,  and  dry  and  pure  air,  made  every  thing  a- 
greeable.  The  whole  concluded  with  splendid  and  beauti- 
ful fireworks.      Such  was  Tivoli. 

To  the  different  theatres  we  went  constantly.  Thesfe 
are  extremely  numerous,  and  the  acting  in  all  of  them  is 
good.  In  comedy  I  thought  the  French  actors  quite  in- 
imitable :  there  was  in  their  playing  the  most  easy  and 
lively  imitations  of  nature — every  part  was  sustained  nearly 
equally  v/ell — the  dresses  were  correct,  and  the  pieces 
played  had  often  a  great  deal  of  merit.  Eight  or  nine 
theatres,  well  supported,  were  a  proof  of  the  extraordinary 
genius  of  the  people,  and  of  their  excessive  fondness  for 
this  species  of  amusement.  Mr.  Fox  enjoyed  the  French 
spectacle  greatly,  and  1  think  did  not  differ  much  from  me, 
when  I  perferred  it  to  the  English  stage.  In  one  respect, 
however,  he  felt  less  pleasure  at  the  public  amusements 
than  others  did,  as  music  gave  him  no  great  satisfaction : 
he  did  not  appear  to  relish  it  much,  and  he  himself  has  as- 
sured me,  (and  his  mind  was  free  from  all  disguise)  that 
he  derived  no  pleasure  from  it.  Still  this  must  be  taken 
in  a  qualified  sense,  even  from  himself.  He  who  could 
so  strongly  taste  the  charms  of  poetry,  could  not  be  desti- 
tute of  a  musical  ear;  the  harmony  and  melody  of  the 
poet's  verses  contribute,  in  a  considerable  degree^  to  the 
effects  which  they  produce.  No  one  felt  more  than  Mr. 
Fox,  the  powers  of  Homer,  Virgil,  Pindar,  Euripides, 
Ariosto,  or  Metastatic ;  and  I  cannot  separate  from  his  ad- 
^  miration  and  enjoyment  of  these  noble  authors,  a  value  for 
the  harmony  and  the  sonorousness  of  their  verse.     I  cau 


152 


well  imagine  that  he  did  not  feel  delight  at  the  modern 
refinements  of  music,  where  execution  is  substituted  for 
expression,  and  the  pathos  of  nature  is  abandoned  for  the 
wonders  of  art.  In  such  a  work  as  I  have  undertaken, 
when  the  minutiae,  and  lighter  touches  of  character  are  no- 
ticed, and  given  to  the  public  as  interesting  parts  (however 
small)  of  the  great  whole,  I  could  not  omit,  what  appeared 
to  me  remarkable,  and  what  cannot  well  be  assented  to, 
without  explanation  and  allowance. 

Eight  or  nine  days  after  our  anlval,  the  door  of  one  of 
the  apartments  of  the  hotel  de  Richelieu  was  thrown  open, 
and  a  gentleman  of  small  stature,  and  with  nothing  pre- 
possessing in  his  appearance,  was  shewn  in.  He  came  to 
wait  on  Mr.  Fox  ;  and  as  numbers  came  daily  to  pay  him 
their  respects,  I  did  not  bestow  much  attention  on  the  en- 
trance of  this  stranger.  For  some  time  I  remained  indif- 
ferent, and  unobservant.  It  was  Kosciusko  ! — Spirit  of 
departed  and  murdered  freedom,  why  did  not  thy  voice 
whisper  in  my  ear,  that  thy  favourite  son,  a  martyr  to  thy 

cause,  was  present  ? Kosciusko,  thou  wast  the  victim 

of  .surrounding  despots  ;  yet,  before  thou  wert  overwhelm- 
ed, imtnured  in  a  dungeon,  and  thy  brave — thy  patriotic 
— but  unfortunate  countrymen,  sunk  under  the  lawless 
hand  of  iron  power — thou  wert  a  star  beaming  upon  the 
desert,  thou  gavest  courage  to  an  oppressed  nation — and, 
disdaining  all  dangers — frowning  upon  all  the  threats  and 
corruption  of  an  imperial  court,  thou,  Kosciusko  !  endur- 
ed every  privation  ; — famine  and  want,  and  obscurity,  were 
dear  to  thee — one  thought  pervaded  thy  virtuous  and  brave^ 
mind — one  desire  animated  every  action— one  hope  light- 
ened upon  thee  in  thy  darksome  and  perilous  path,  the  free- 
dom and  emancipation  of  a  beloved  country  ! — -It  was 
with  greedy  and  unspeakable  pleasure  I  beheld  the  cham- 
pion of  Polish  liberty.  The  figure  which  I  had  thought 
inconsequential — the  countenance  which  I  had  thought  un- 
interesting, became  important.  I  listened  to  his  words 
with  attention,,  and  beheld,  with  a  feeling  of  delight,  two 


153 


men,  so  eminently  gifted,  and  so  distinguished  by  their 
love  of  liberty,  conversing  with  the  sympathy  and  kindness 
one  might  expect  from  each  towards  the  other. 

There  is  a  wide  difference  between  that  involuntary 
homage  paid  to  genius  and  patriotism,  and  the  deference 
which  is  due  to  rank  ;  the  one  is  a  glowing  sensation,  full 
of  admiration,  regard,  and  sympathy ;  the  other  is  a  thing 
exacted^  which  is  conceded  reluctantly,  and,  in  general,  in- 
sincerely. It  was  the  former,  certainly,  which  Kosciusko 
inspired.  He  did  not  speak  much;  his  exterior  and  man- 
ner were  extremely  simple  ;  Mr.  Fox's  reception  of  him 
was  warm  and  friendly :  both  these  great  men  seemed 
happy  at  meeting,  and,  conscious  as  each  of  them  was  of 
having  done  all  he  could  for  his  respective  countrj'',  to 
calmly  repose  and  taste  the  pleasure  of  personal  inter- 
course, where  there  is  high  mutual  esteem  and  regard.  It 
was  true  Kosciusko's  career  of  glory  was  extremely  short, 
and  that  Mr.  Fox  distinguished  himself,  in  a  totally  dif- 
ferent manner,  and  in  the  course  of  a  long  and  brilliant 
series  of  political  efforts ;  their  principles,  however,  were 
the  same;  the  advocate  of  oppressed  America, — of  injur- 
ed Ireland, — of  the  enslaved  blacks, — could  not  but  cherish 
the  champion  of  the  slaughtered  Poles  ;  nor  could  that 
champion  fail  to  honour  a  statesman  who  loved  liberty, 
and  who  had  so  long  laboured  in  its  cause. 

Kosciusko  was  in  apparent  good  health,  though,  I  be- 
lieve, his  wounds  will  never  allow  him  to  be  perfectly  well. 
The  interview  was  not  very  long;  but  how  different  was 
it  from  the  meeting  of  potentates,  prepared  to  deceive  one 
another,  or  planning  the  disturbance  of  happy  and  inde- 
pendent nations.  Not  like  Joseph  and  the  remorseless 
Catherine,  sacrificing  to  their  ambition  the  peace  and  in- 
dependence of  millions,  but  benignly  breathing  sentiments 
of  good  will  for  mankind,  and  bestowing  on  the  sacred 
cause  of  liberty,  their  wishes,  where  they  could  not  assist 
it;   and  their  regrets   where   it   was  extinguished.    I  saw 

u 


154 


Kosciujsko  depart  with  a  strong  sentiment  of  profound  ad- 
miration and  sorrow ;  he  was  now  an  obscure  individual 
in  France,  little  noticed,  and  cast  back  among  the  class  of 
ordinary  men, — not  regarded  by  a  new  government  rising 
upon  the  ruins  of  every  thing  republican,  and  felt  himself 
alone  among  the  brilliant  crowd  of  opulent  and  thoughtless 
strangers,  thronging  to  Paris,  and  full  of  gaiety  and  joy. 
Not  so  Kosciusko  ;  his  prostrate  country  filled  all  his 
thoughts ;  the  more  so,  as  her  fortunes  were  now  irre- 
trievable. He  was  a  melancholy  sojourner  in  a  land  which 
could  impart  no  joys  to  him,- — he  was  the  stricken  deer, 
whose  wound  could  never  be  healed. 

He  was  received,  and  entertained  by  Mr.  Fox,  with  a 
cordiality  mixed  with  melancholy.  I  have  observed  how 
much  delicate  attention  he  always  paid  to  the  unfortunate; 
and  it  may  be  easily  understood,  what  were  his  manners, 
— the  tone  of  his  voice,^ — and  his  look, — towards  Kos- 
ciusko! 

As  Mr.  Fox  loved  the  country  much,  and,  in  so  fine  a 
season  of  the  year,  wished  to  let  Mrs.  Fox  see  it,  we  took 
advantage  of  the  second  Sunday  after  our  arrival  to  drive 
to  St.  Cloud-  The  day  was  extremely  fine,  and  the  envi- 
rons of  Paris  are,  in  the  direction  of  St.  Cloud,  very, 
pleasant.  I  did  not  forget,  as  we  approached  the  vicinity 
of  Meudon,  that  Madame  Roland,  that  illustrious  victim 
of  a  sanguinary  democracy,  with  a  monster  for  its  leader, 
had  made  it  interesting,  by  celebrating  it  as  the  beloved 
spot  where,  in  her  youth,  she  had,  along  with  her  family, 
passed  so  many  Sundays  in  rural  and  happy  retirement.  I 
had  long  admired  her  character  and  heroic  conduct,  and 
was  gratified  to  find  that  Mr.  Fox  estimated  both  highly. 
He  told  me,  that  he  sat  up  nearly  a  whole  night  at  Mr. 
Coke's,  reading  her  work,  when  it  first  appeared ;  and,  by 
such  a  sanction,  I  felt  my  own  opinion  much  fortified. 
Meudon,  as  we  passed,  looked  wild,  yet  beautiful.   Soon 


155 

after  we  got  to  Bellevue,  a  beautifully  situated,  but  now- 
desolate,  royal  chateau,  built  by  Louis  the  XVth,  for  Ma- 
dame de  Pompadour,  and  subsequently  possessed  by  the 
late  king's  sisters.   Its  situation  on  the  Seine  is  very  pleas- 
ing ;    that  river,   whose  pellucid  and  blue   waters  adorn 
Paris  so  much,  is  here  increased  to  a  respectable  size,  and 
flows  majestically  along.   Bellevue  was  quite  deserted  :  the 
hall,  where  music  and  gay  sounds  were  heard,  when  the 
royal  banquets  were  held  there,   was  silent  and  joyless; 
the  sound  of  the  feet  of  our  little  party  resounded   in   a 
melancholy  way.   It  was   a  cheerless   scene  :   for  whether 
we   considered   the  profligate  extravagancy  of  Louis   the 
XVth,   in  squandering  the  revenues  upon  his  own  gratifi- 
cations,   or  satisfying  the  pride  of  luxurious  mistresses ; 
or  that   we  simply  dwelt   upon  the  overthrow  of   royalty, 
and  the  distruction  or  desolation  of  its   palaces ;   or  that 
we  thought   of  the   last  possessors,  the   amiable   and  re- 
spectable sisters  of  Louis  XVIth  ;■ — we  saw  a  heart-chill- 
ing change;   the  walls  naked,  the  rooms  unfurnished,  and 
the  court  yard  overgrown  with  grass  ;   a  general  appear- 
ance of  decay,  yet  the  gardens  still  beautiful,    and  well 
deserving  to  be  put  in  order :   these  mournful  memorials 
of  better  days,  naturally  inspired  gloomy  sensations. 

We  hastened  from  hence  to  St.  Cloud.  This  beautiful 
chateau  is  delightfully  situated.  A  very  fine  wood,  and  a 
commanding  aspect,  distinguish  it  from  every  thing  be- 
sides near  Paris.  The  Seine  winds  slowly  below.  The  vil- 
lage of  St.  Cloud  makes  a  respectable  appearance  at  the 
foot  of  the  hill,  and  the  bridge  has  a  handsome  effect,  as 
the  Seine  is  broad  and  majestic  here,  and  partakes  much 
of  the  character  of  the  Thames  at  Richmond.  The  cha- 
teau of  St.  Cloud  had  been  taken  from  the  duke  of  Or- 
leans in  the  reign  of  Louis  the  16th,  by  the  court,  and  I 
do  not  wonder  that  his  resentment  was  great,  as  it  is  a 
most  charming  residence,  and  quite  unrivalled  around 
Paris. 


156 


Leaving  St.  Cloud,  we  took  a  boat  as  far  Neuilly,  aad 
found  most  of  the  environs  and  banks  of  the  river  delight- 
fuL  Mr.  Fox  fully  enjoyed  the  scene:  he  was  fond  of  the 
water,  and  perhaps  he  was  reminded  of  the  scenes  near 
his  own  beloved  spot.  The  evening  was  serene ;  the  water 
a  glossy  surface,  over  which  we  glided  ;  and  as  we  left 
behind  the  proud,  and  towering  walls  of  St.  Cloud,  and 
its  lofty  woods,  we  turned  to  the  more  pleasing  contempla- 
tion of  rural  cottages,  and  small  country  houses,  of  an 
enchanting  appearance  on  the  banks  of  the  river.  Happy 
little  domestic  parties  were  scattered  here  and  there^-the 
setting  sun,  threw  a  golden  glow  upon  the  water,  and  a 
rich  and  softened  light  upon  the  landscape.  Gliding  softly^ 
along  no  wish  was  felt  by  our  little  circle,  for  the  pompous, 
sights  of  St.  Cloud  or  Paris. 

It  was  in  such  moments  that  Mr.  Fox  was  truly  him- 
self. Mrs.  Fox's  society,  and  that  of  one  or  two  friends, 
whom  it  was  not  necessary  to  entertain,  and  find  conver- 
sation for,  satisfied  him  :  and  in  the  manner  of  that  excel- 
lent judge  of  society,  Horace,  he  required  but  a  few^ 
whom  he  liked,  and  rural  and  tranquil  scenes,  to  make 
him  quite  happy  ;  like  him  he  was  ever  ready  to  exclaim 
tfo  the  admirers  of  the  city,  or  the  follower  of  courts  ; 

" Ego  laiido  ruris  amqui 


Rivos,  et  musco  circumlite  saxa,  nemusque 
Quid  quseris;  "Vivo  et  regno  simul  isla  reliqui 
Qusc  vos  ad  cceUira  efFertis  rumore  sccundo." 

Easy   and  instructive  conversation  made  these   happy 

moments  fly  but  too  swiftly. 

The  shadows  of  evening  began  to  fall  before  we  reach- 
ed Neuilly  ;  but  all  was  placid,  and  the  objects  around 
presented  themselves  with  new  interest :  the  little  vine- 
yards v/ere  lost  in  shade— -the  water  lost  its  splendor,  but 
was  still  more  beautiful,  and  this  delicious  repose  of  even- 
ing, made  us  grieve  when  our  boat  stopped,  and  it  became 
ii,eccssary  to  disembark. 


157 

The  carriage  was  waiting  for  us  at  Neuilly  :  as  we 
drove  through  the  Bois  de  Boulogne,  we  left  on  one  side, 
at  a  considerable  distance,  Bagatelle,  once  the  elegant 
seat  of  the  ci-devant  compte  D'Artois.  It  was  now  ne- 
glected, and  adapted  to  some  common  purpose.  Another 
vestige  of  fallen  grandeur,  but  of  little  interest. 

On  returning  to  Paris,  we  went  to  the  opera  Francois, 
In  this  species  of  amusement,  the  French,  in  my  opinion, 
completely  fail.  Their  music  is  uninteresting  and  noisy, 
but  the  soul- touching  expression,  which  the  Italian  opera 
so  delightfully  attains,  is,  at  the  French  opera,  a  thing  un- 
known. Whether  French  perceptions  are  ill-adapted  to  vocal 
music,  or  that  the  disposition  of  the  people,  turning  to  gai- 
ety, prevents  their  musicians  from  aiming  at  that  pathos, 
which  at  once  softens  and  charms  the  mind,  I  cannot  de- 
cide, but  the  French  opera  seemed  to  me  so  insipid,  not  to 
say  disagreeable,  that  I  had  no  wish  to  return  it. 

The  following  day,  after  the  usual  occupation  at  the 
archives,  I  was  glad  to  go  to  the  palace  of  the  Thuilleries 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox,  Mr.  West,  and  Mr.  Opie.  In- 
front  are  still  to  be  seen,  the  marks  of  cannon  balls  :  the 
memorable  night  between  the  9th  and  10th  of  August,  1 792, 
was  thus  vividly  recalled  to  the  memory.  Could  one  enter 
this  palace  without  shuddering?  and  could  one  avoid  ac- 
knowledging that,  after  such  and  greater,  and  continued 
horrors,  the  French,  with  some  reason,  have  naturally  ac- 
quiesced under  a  government,  which,  though  falling  short 
of  their  early  and  fond  expectations,  affords  them  security 
against  internal  commotions,  and  protects  their  properties 
and  lives  against  the  caprice  of  an  ignorant  populace. 

The  lower  apartments  of  the  Thuilleries  were  not  at  all 
altered  since  the  time  of  Louis  the  Sixteenth  and  his  queen  : 
the  same  furniture,  and  ornaments,  still  remained.  Among 
other  things  we  perceived  there  two  busts,  one  of  Fox^ 
aiid  the  other  of  Nfii^soN.   Whether  these,  were  placed  there 


us 


as  a  compliment  to  the  English,  or  that  the  bust  of  the 
former  had  not  been  removed  since  the  days  of  Louis 
himself,  and  that  the  latter  had  been  since  added,  I  cannot 
say,  but  the  circumstance  was  curious  and  interesting. 

Our  walk  through  the  royal  apartments  was  productive 
of  strange  sensations.  This  sensible  proof  of  the  annihi- 
lation of  a  powerful  and  long-established  dynasty,  scarcely 
sufficed  to  convince  us  of  the  stupendous  change  which 
had  taken  place.  Mr.  Fox  ruminated  with  pain  upon  the 
fallen  fortunes  and  wretchedness  of  the  last  of  the  Bour- 
bons, and  the  whole  party,  I  believe,  felt  relieved  on  quit- 
ting those  once  royal,  but  now  deserted  abodes. 


CHAPTER  X. 


MR.  FOX  haa  now  been  twelve  days  in  Paris,  and 
we  had  not  seen  Bonaparte,  except  slightly  and  imper- 
fectly at  the  theatre.  My  own  wish  to  behold  the  first 
consul  had  not  been  increased  since  my  arrival.  The  ob- 
servation of  military  guards  everywhere,  the  information 
that  the  numbers  of  barracks  in  and  about  Paris  were  very 
great,  that  20,0oo  troops  were  within  a  short  summons; 
and  above  all,  a  knowledge  that  the  system  of  espionage 
was  carried  to  an  incredible  height,  making  suspicion  of  the 
slightest  indisposition  to  government  sufficient  cause  for 
individuals  to  be  hurried  away  at  night, — (many  of  them 
never  to  be  heard  of  again)  had  not  contributed,  by  any 
means,  to  exalt  my  opinion  of  the  new  government.  At 
this  time  I  even  doubted  whether  an  Englishman,  a  true 
lover  of  liberty,  ought  to  sanction  the  new  order  of  things. 
As  I  have  already  alluded  to  those  views,  I  shall 
only  say,  that  Mr.  Fox's  determination  to  go  to  the  ap- 
proaching levee,  threw  new  light  upon  my  mind,  and  I 
was  brought  to  consider  the  case  dispassionately.  Was 
an  English  gentleman  or  nobleman,  travelling  for  instruc- 
tion and  pleasure,  to  be  the  reformer  and  censor  of  Eu- 
rope \  at  Petersburgh  to  reprimand  Alexander,  or  shun  his 
court  ? — at  Constantinople  to  insult  the  grand  signior,  and 
rudely  reject  the  society  of  his  ministers  ?   No  I  I   said  t© 


#:• 


160 


myself,  prejudiced  and  pensioned  followers  of  ministry  may 
affect  to  think  in  this  way,  but  the  enlightened  stranger  will, 
in  all  countries,  respect  the  existing  government,  conform 
to  its  usages  and  ceremonies,  and  frequent  its  court,  as  the 
focus  of  all  the  rank,  talent,  and  character  of  the  country, — 
where  the  best  manners  are  to  be  met  with,  and  suptrior 
intelligence  is  to  be  collected  ! 

We  now  heard  a  great  deal  of  the  approaching  levee ; 
it  was  expected  to  be  unusually  splendid,  and  the  English 
ambassador,  Mr.  Merry,  was  overwhelmed  with  applica- 
tions of  gentlemen,  from  England  and  Ireland,  to  prevail 
upon  him  to  present  them  to  Bonaparte,  on  this,  his  new 
and  permanent  accession  to  power.  So  numerous  were 
these  applications,  that  he  was  compelled  to  shelter  him- 
self under  the  rule,  that  a  letter  from  lord  Hawkesbury 
must  be  handed  to  him,  introducing  each  person.  Mr. 
Fox  had  been  so  thoughtful  and  kind,  as  to  bave  me,  as 
well  as  lord  St.  John,  included  in  his  own  letter,  so  that 
I  had  no  disappointment  to  fear.  Mr.  Merry,  the  Rritish 
ambassador,  was  a  good-natured  and  friendly  man,  but 
unequal  to  trying  and  delicate  emergencies  ;  he  seemed 
to  me  bending  under  his  situation,  not  enjoying  the  extra- 
ordinary scene; — without  sufficient  dignity  for  his  station, 
and  rather  an  honest  gentleman  popped  into  a  diploma- 
tique situation,  than  the  ambassador  of  a  great  and  com- 
manding nation.  I  had  subsequent  reason,  in  Mr.  Fox's 
ministry,  to  observe,  that  Mr.  Pitt's  long  ministry  had 
been  ill  supplied  with  men  of  talents  in  foreign  courts. 

Previous  to  this  levee,  Mr.  Fox  went  with  a  small  party 
to  see  the  chateau  of  St.  Cloud.  It  was  also  the  day  of 
the  fete  at  the  village,  and  we  proposed  dining  at  one  of 
the  restorateur's  houses,  which  look  down  upon  the  river. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox,  two  or  three  more,  Monsieur  De 
Grave,  and  myself,  formed  the  party.  The  day  was  ex- 
tremely fine,  and  we  set  out  with  great  pleasure  upon  the 
4itde  excursion,  omitting,  for  this  one  day,  the  labours  at 


-161 


the  archives,  arid  leaving  James  II.  and  Louis  XIV.  to 
rest  unmolested  and  uncriticised.  Monsieur  de  Grave 
was  a  very  polite  and  unassuming  companion;  he  had 
been  minister  in  the  early  republican  times  for  a  short  time, 
but  was  unequal  to  the  fatigues  of  office.  Whoever  has 
read  Madame  Roland's  v^orks,  will  find  his  genuine  charac- 
ter there.  It  was  but  too  faithfully  drawn ;  frequently 
when  I  recognised  the  fidelity  of  the  portrait,  I  was  be- 
trayed into  a  smile,  and  trembled  lest  it  might  rise  to  a 
laugh.  Madame  Roland  described  M.  de  Grave  as  a 
good-natured  little  man,  unfit  for  an  arduous  situation, 
— rolling  his  large  blue  eyes,  and  falling  asleep  over  his 
coffee.  He  was  however,  extremely  obliging,  and,  as  we 
were  disappointed  in  seeing  the  interior  of  the  chateau, 
his  chagrin  was  very  great  and  undisguised. 

Mr.  Fox  consoled  us  with  a  sort  of  playful  humour, 
that  was  very  diverting,  and  at  the  same  time  perfectly 
good-natured.  I  do  not  recollect,  indeed,  any  occasion 
when  he  was  more  animated  than  this  evening.  The 
scene  before  us  was  quite  delightful;  the  Seine  glided 
calmly  past;  the  people,  assembled  for  the  fete,  were 
walking  about,  sitting  in  groupes,  conversing,  or  dining 
on  the  grass — music  enlivened  all — parties,  as  the  day- 
advanced,  were  dancing  under  the  trees — gaiety  and  ele- 
gance pervaded  them — no  vile  intoxication  disgraced  the 
happy  assemblage^ — they  were  joyous,  but  not  riotous, 
' — cheerful,  but  not  noisy — animated,  but  everywhere 
maintained  decency  and  good  manners. — Mr.  Fox,  to  di- 
minish M.  de  Grave's  vexation,  talked  more  than  usual. 

He  spoke,  with  excellent  discrimination,  of  the  noble 
families  he  had  known  long  previous  to  the  revolution; 
the  folly  and  absurd  pride  of  some,  he  treated  in  the  hap- 
piest manner ;  the  admirable  characters  of  others,  female 
as  well  as  male,  and  their  genius  and  acquirements,  he 
dwelt  upon  with  unqualified  admiration.  He  strove  to 
lead  M.  de  Grave  from  his  uneasiness  in  the  most  en- 


im 


gaging  manner,  (for  M.  de  Grave  had  engaged  to  procure 
lis  admission  to  the  chateau.)  It  v/as  something  of  Cicero 
in  the  de  Oratore,  dwelling  upon  illustrious  departed  cha- 
racters, illustrious  as  well  by  birth  as  eloquence,  virtue,  and 
accomplishments.  The  destruction  of  the  old  government^ 
the  death,  emigration,  or  distress  of  many  of  these  noble  per- 
sons, a  complete  substitution,  not  only  of  new  government, 
but  change  of  property  and  honours,  making  this  eloquent 
retrospective  view  still  more  interesting.  The  great  cha- 
racter himself,  who  was  taking  it,  worthy  of  antiquity, 
and  speaking  from  his  own  knowledge,  with  an  animation 
in  which  affection,  veneration,  and  gratitude,  were  all 
blended,  and  all  powerfully  and  visibly  operating.  As 
we  sat  at  our  fruit,  before  we  arose  to  depart,  the  door  open- 
ed, and  a  Savoyarde,  dressed  in  the  fashion  of  the  peasants 
of  her  country,  and  carrying  a  guitar  or  lute,  presented 
herself.  Her  air  was  almost  sublime ;  the  countenance 
betokened  better  days  and  higher  station;  but  resignation 
chastened  every  feeling,  and  religion  had  sustained  and 
aided  her;  her  song  was  simple  and  affecting,  and  her 
music  far  from  contemptible;  the  faultering  voice  told 
better  than  volumes,  that  she  was  unhappy.  She  was 
satisfied  with  a  little,  and  withdrew  with  modesty  and  in 
silence. 

Before  we  left  St.  Cloud,  we  walked  In  the  park  among 
the  happy  groupes,  and  left  this  charming  place,  as  it  grew 
late,  with  a  wish  to  revisit  it  often.  Indeed,  I  ever  ob- 
served that  Mr.  Fox  was  most  pleased  in  such  evenings 
as  these.  Unencumbered  with  ceremony,  and  relieved 
from  crowds,  his  amiable  and  domestic  character  expand- 
ed itself;  and,  undesirous  as  he  was  of  flattery,  hating  sub- 
serviency, and  abominating  affectation  or  hypocrisy  of  any 
kind,  I  think  he  sought  all  opportunities  of  consoling  him- 
self for  the  insincerity  and  baseness  of  worldly-minded 
people,  by  forming  a  society  of  two  or  three,  (of  which 
Mrs.  Fox  was  ever  one)  on  whose  ingenuousness  and 
friendship  he  could  ^ely,  and  before  whom  he  could  relax 


163 


and  display  the  whole  simplicity  and  genuine  feelin^j  of  hiu 
mind.  It  was  then  he  became  animated ;  nor  was  he  un- 
willing to  bear  a  full  share  in  the  conversation,  and  to 
prolong  it  through  the  evening. 

**  JEstivam  sermoue  beiiigno  tendere  noctera."' 

We  closed  the  month  of  August  (having  dined  there  the 
31st)  at  St.  Cloud;  in  the  republican  style  it  was  the  13th 
Fructidor. 

All  this  time,  and  for  about  a  week  afterwards,  the 
heat  was  extreme.  Mr.  Fox  often  found  it  necessary  to 
have  a  carriage,  (otherwise  he  preferred  walking)  to  go  to 
the  Bureau  des  affaires  Etrangeres,  The  streets  of  Paris 
were  intolerably  hot,  and  we  frequently  found  it  an  op- 
pressive and  fatiguing  walk,  though  the  distance  was  not 
great  from  the  Hotel  de  Richelieu  to  the  place  where  the 
archives  were  deposited.  Mr.  Fox,  however,  allow^ed 
nothing  to  interfere  with,  or  prevent  his  pursuit. 

On  the  day  previous  to  the  great  levee,  we  went  to  see 
the  house  of  general  Murat,  since  king  of  Naples.  No- 
thing could  be  more  superb.  The  apartments  were  beau- 
tifully and  sumptuously  fitted  up.  The  grand  staircase 
was  very  noble — the  bedchamber  extremely  elegant  and 
rich — and  one  circular  room,  particularly,  was  deserving 
of  attention.  It  was  lighted  from  the  top — a  great  num- 
ber of  beautiful  white  marble  statues  were  placed  in  niches, 
holding  branches  for  lights,  and  the  intervening  recesses 
furnished  with  silk,  and  containing  small  couches,  had  an 
excellent  effect.  There  was  so  much  symmetry  and  beauty 
in  this  room,  that  I  was  much  struck  with  it. 

In  the  evening  a  new  scene  opened  to  me;  and  when  I 
announce  to  my  reader  M.  Talleyrand,  minister  for  foreign 
affairs,  to  whose  country  house  at  Neuilly,  I  was  carried, 
along  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox,  they  will  participate  in  the 


164 


curiosity  I  felt.  We  arrived  between  eight  and  nine  in 
the  evening,  as  it  was  usual  to  open  the  house  every  even- 
ing at  that  time  for  all  the  corps  diplomatique  and  strangers 
of  distinction.  I  was  now  about  to  see  somewhat  of  the 
French  government,  in  seeing  the  minister  of  foreiga 
affairs,  and  his  establishment.  On  our  arrival  we  were 
ushered  through  a  long  suite  of  rooms  and  announced  to 
Madame,  who,  at  the  head  of  her  drawing-room  and  of  a 
numerous  circle  of  ladies  and  gentlemen,  received  each 
visitor  that  paid  his  respects  to  her.  Many  of  the  foreign 
ministers,  and  other  chai-acters  of  rank  were  present. 
Mr.  Fox  was  received  with  great  politeness  and  marked 
attention. 

Me  Talleyrand  possesses  by  no  means  an  agreeable  ex- 
terior; there  is  a  want  of  what  is  noble  and  elevated  in 
his  air  and  countenance.  It  is  evident,  however,  that  he 
possesses  great  acuteness  and  pliability.  I  am  so  far  a 
bigot  in  the  science  of  physiognomy,  as  to  doubt  the  excel- 
lency of  a  character,  where  the  countenance  repels,  or  at 
least  inspires  no  favourable  idea^ — where  the  eye  does  not 
speak  the  language  of  feeling,  and  where  the  air  and  car- 
riage of  the  person  is  ungraceful  or  mean.  M.  Talley- 
rand appeared  to  me,  however,  to  be  a  complete  man  of 
business ;  alert,  indefatigable,  and  completely  conversant 
5n  the  ways  of  men. 

Madame  v;^as  possessed  of  genuine  politeness;  and 
although  her  situation  inspired  something  of  hauteur,  yet 
there  was  a  sweetness  of  disposition  to  be  discerned 
through  it,  which  was  very  engaging.  This  lady,  now  the 
princess  de  Benevento,  I  think,  possessed  a  superior  mind, 
which  felt  disgust  at,  and  saw,  with  quickness,  the  mean- 
ness of  the  servile  crowd,  who  would  be  equally  ready,  in 
the  hour  of  misfortune,  to  calumniate  and  vilify,  as  they 
were  now  to  flatter,  those  elevated  characters,  whom  they 
paid  tfieir  homage  tOo  - 


165 

The  circle  at  INI.  Talleyrand's,  in  the  evening,  was  at 
first  agreeable  and  entertaining.  The  variety  of  character 
was  great  and  striking ;  the  Italian  princess — the  German 
dutchess  or  prince — members  of  the  ancient  French  nobi- 
lity— strangers,  of  rank  and  talent — literary  characters — 
ambassadors — their  secretaries  or  friends— members  of 
government,  senators,  &c.  he. — The  poet  and  the  philo- 
sopher mingled  in  the  crowd,  yet  all  was  conducted  with 
elegance  and  attention.  Here  Mr.  Fox  met  various  dis- 
tinguished men,  and  conversed  with  every  one  with  ease 
and  vivacity.  The  house  at  Neuilly  was  large  and  hand- 
some; the  distance  from  Paris,  five  miles.  It  was,  how- 
ever much  more  agreeable  at  this  season  of  the  year,  and 
in  extremely  hot  weather,  to  drive  out  to  the  evening  circle, 
than  remain  in  town.  After  some  hours,  (except  a  select 
few  invited  to  a  supper)  the  company  dispersed. 

The  establishment  of  the  minister  for  foreign  affairs 
was  on  the  most  liberal  scale :  he  was  allowed  10,000  per 
annum  to  enable  him  to  keep  a  handsome  table,  and  receive 
his  guests  in  a  manner  worthy  of  the  splendour  of  the 
rising  government.  A  liberal  and  wise  plan,  it  must  be 
admitted,  for  the  minister  who  is  obliged  to  maintain  the 
dignity,  and,  in  some  measure,  represent  the  consequence 
of  his  country  and  its  government  with  foreigners,  requires 
liberal  funds  to  enable  him  to  do  so,  greater  than  those  of 
other  ministers,  inasmuch  as  he  is  called  upon  (and  it  may 
be  politically  useful  and  requisite)  to  entertain  foreigners 
of  every  description. 

Shortly  after  our  arrival  in  Paris,  distressing  accounts 
(distressing  to  lovers  of  liberty)  were  daily  brought  from 
Switzerland.  That  country,  once  the  invincible  asylum  of 
liberty,  whose  confederate  warriors,  resisting  the  tyranny 
of  Austria,  had  transmitted  independence  and  happiness  to 
their  posterity — that  country  was  now  suffering  the  hor- 
rors of  military  oppression.  Reding,  the  intrepid  leader 
of  the  Swiss,  animated  them  against  the  French.     As  \ve 


166 

heard,  the  very  women  and  children  were  roused,  and 
symptoms  of  a  sanguinary  contest  were  daily  announced. 
Those  English  patriots  who  were  amongst  Mr.  Fox's 
friends,  and  Mr.  Fox  himself,  heard  these  reports  with 
deep  regret.  That  it  was  fruitless,  and  unavailing,  I  need 
not  say.  The  struggle  soon  after  ceased,  and  the  brave 
Swiss,  perceiving  resistance  to  be  litde  short  of  madness, 
sullenly  rested  their  arms  and  capitulated.  We  were  thus 
destined  almost  to  be  witnesses  of  one  of  the  last  perni- 
cious consequences  of  the  coalition  war  against  France. 
She  had  gained  the  Netherlands  as  an  integral  part  of  her 
dominions,  the  Rhine  as  a  boundary  for  a  great  extent, 
and  she  was  now  seizing  upon  Switzerland  as  an  outwork 
and  fortification  for  her  empire.  For  this  important  ob- 
ject, it  was  very  unlikely  that  regard  for  the  feelings,  or 
respect  for  the  liberties  of  the  Swiss,  would  at  all  stand 
in  the  way  of  the  French  government.  Nor  did  it  at  this 
time  act  very  differently  from  regular  established  govern- 
ments, whose  tone  and  principles  it  seemed  to  be  fast  as- 
suming. The  aristocracies  of  Switzerland  had  themselves 
been  guilty  of  so  much  oppression  and  cruelty,  that  the 
people  had  not  so  much  to  lose  as  has  been  represented ; 
and  it  is  more  than  probable  that  in  the  early  subjugation 
of  the  country  in  1797,  by  the  French,  if  these  corrupt 
and  haughty  governments  had  been  purified  and  reformed, 
and  more  valuable  objects  held  forth  to  incite  the  people, 
that  Switzerland  might  have  defied  the  attacks  of  France, 
and  proved  a  dangerous,  or  at  least  a  formidable  enemy  to 
her;  always  interposing  strong  positions  between  her  and 
other  countries,  capable  of  being  used  against  her,  and  re- 
maining constantly  in  the  nature  of  a  check  upon  her.  But 
the  aristocratical  governments  had  long  disgusted  and 
alienated  the  people  ;  and  the  country  not  feeling  the  same 
stimulus  which  warmed  them  against  Austria  in  1300,  fell 
an  easy  prey  to  French  ambition.  Accordingly,  the  senate 
of  Bern,  in  1802,  sanctioned  all  the  measures  of  Bona- 
parte ;  joined  with  his  government  against  their  own 
people ;  and,  at  last,  conspired  with  France  in  stifling  the 
last  struggling  sigh  for  liberty. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


AS  we  visited  the  museum  as  aften  as  time  could  be 
spjwed  to  it,  I  recollect  one  day,  that  all  the  company  were 
attracted  to  the  windows  of  the  gallery  of  the  Louvre,  by  a 
parade  in  the  Place  de  Carousel.  The  guards,  and  some 
other  French  troops  were  exercising.  Mr.  Fox,  with 
the  others,  went  to  the  window,  but  he  instantly  turned 
away  on  seeing  the  soldiers.  This  occurred  some  time 
before  the  levee  ;  and  on  that  day,  as  there  was  a  grand 
parade,  we  remained  in  a  private  apartment  of  the  Thuil- 
ieries  till  it  was  over.  Bonaparte,  mounted  on  a  white 
charger,  and  accompanied  by  some  general  officers,  re- 
viewed his  troops,  amounting  to  about  six  thousand,  with 
great  rapidity.  The  consular  troops  made  a  fine  appear- 
ance, and  the  whole  was  a  brilliant  and  animating  spec- 
tacle. Mr.  Fox  paid  little  or  no  attention  to  it,  conversing- 
chiefly,  while  it  lasted,  with  count  MarkofF,  the  Russian 
ambassador.  I  observed  Mr.  Fox  was  disinclined  not 
only  to  military,  but  to  any  pompous  display  of  the  power 
of  the  French  government.  An  enemy  to  all  ostentation, 
he  disliked  it  everywhere ;  but  the  parade  of  military 
troops  in  the  heart  of  the  metropolis,  carrying  with  it 
more  than  vain  pomp,  must  naturally  have  shocked,  rather 
than  entertained,  such  principles  as  those  of  Mr.  Fox, 


168 


On  the  day  of  the  great  levee,  which  was  to  collect  so 
many  representatives  of  nations,  and  noble  strangers  from 
every  country  to  pay  their  respects  to  the  first  consul  of 
France,  now  established  as  the  sole  head  of  government 
for  life,  several  apartments,  having  the  general  name  of  the 
Salle  des  Ambassadeurs^  were  appropriated  for  the  crowd 
of  visitors  at  the  levee,  previous  to  their  being  admitted  to 
the  first  consul's  presence.  Lord  Holland,  lord  Robert 
Spencer,  lord  St.  John,  Mr.  Adair,  and  myself,  accompa- 
nied Mr.  Fox  there.  I  must  acknowledge  that  the  novel 
and  imposing  scene  amused  and  interested  me  in  a  high 
degree.  This  grand  masquerade  of  human  life,  was  in- 
conceivably striking — the  occasion  of  assembling — the  old 
palace  of  the  Bourbons — the  astonishing  attitude  that 
France  had  assumed,  affected  the  imagination,  and  almost 
overpowered  the  judgment.  A  latent  smile  was  often  to 
be  caught  on  the  countenances  of  different  intelligent  and 
enlightened  men ;  it  said,  very  significantly,  can  this  be 
reality  ?   can  so  wonderful  a  fabric  be  permanent  ^ 

His  toils  were  now  approaching;  there  was  a  much 
greater  number  of  English  presented  than  of  any  other 
nation.  Mr.  Merry,  the  English  ambassador,  appeared, 
on  the  part  of  the  British  government,  to  sanction  and  re- 
cognise the  rank  and  government  of  the  first  consul  !  Mr, 
Merry,  whose  nation  had,  under  the  blind  auspices  of  an  in- 
temperate minister,  fatally  interfered  with  the  internal  con- 
cerns of  a  great  people,  and  had  vainly  attempted  to  coun- 
teract the  success  of  their  efforts.  What  a  subject  had  he 
for  a  letter,  in  the  style  of  Barillon,  for  the  perusal  of 
Mr.  Pitt,  or  his  friend,  Mr.  Addington,  then  acting  a$ 
Pitt's  deputy,  or  locum  tenens,  in  the  government !  Mr. 
Merry !— -then  acting  under  lord  Hawkesbury,  the  Quix- 
otic .marcher  to  Paris,  which  same  lord  was  now  receiving 
a  magnificent  present  of  a  service  of  china  of  unrivalled 
beauty  and  elegance,  from  this  same  new  government  and 
Bonaparte.  It  would  have  been  an  instructive  lesson  for 
Mr.   Pitt  himself,  could   he  invisibly,  v/ith  Minerva  by 


169 

his  side,  have  contemplated  the  scene ;  he  might  then  have 
studied  history,  and  discovered  that  such  interference  and 
conduct  in  foreign  powers,  as  that  of  his  and  the  allied 
potentates,  had  made  Cromwell  a  king,  or  an  emperor, 
and  fixed  the  succession  in  his  family ! 

"  What  think  you  of  all  this  ?"  said  the  chevalier  d' 
AzARA,  ambassador  from  Spain,  addressing  himself  to 
Mr.  Fox.  The  other  gave  an  expressive  smile- — ^"  It  is 
an  astonishing  time,"  continued  he ;  "  pictures— statues— 
I  hear  the  Venus  de  Medicis  is  on  her  way — what  shall  we 
see  next  ?"  A  pleasant  dialogue  ensued  :  these  enlighten- 
ed statesmen  diverting  themselves,  when  scolding  and  an- 
ger could  avail  nothing.  The  Turkish  ambassador 
graced  the  splendid  scene ;  a  diminutive  figure,  accom- 
panied by  a  suite  of  fine  and  handsome  men  ; — he  reposed 
on  a  sofa — the  heat  was  excessive,  and  his  crossed-legged 
attitude  but  little  relieved  him ; — his  companions  spoke 
French  with  great  ease,  and  some  of  them  were  fine  Gre- 
cian figures. 

Count  Markoff  !  covered  with  diamonds— of  a  most 
forbidding  aspect — of  sound  sense,  however — malgre  a 
face  no  lady  would  fall  in  love  with — and  an  ungraceful 
air — ^The  marquis  Lucchesini  !  the  king  of  Prussia's  am- 
bassador, who,  from  an  obscure  situation,  by  having  be- 
come the  reader  to  a  minister,  was  elevated  to  the  corps 
diplomatique — gaudily  dressed — always  with  several  con- 
spicuous colours — one  thought  of  a  foreign  bird,  on  seeing 
him  ;  and  his  physiognomy  corrobated  the  idea — agreeable, 
however,  pleasing  in  manners,  easy  in  his  temper,  and  en- 
joying rationally  the  amusing  scenes  around  him. 

The  marquis  de  Gallo  !  the  Neapolitan  ambassador — 
an  unmeaning  nobleman  of  the  old  school — florid  in  man- 
ner, but  not  calculated  to  produce  effect  in  politics  or  con- 
versation.— Have  I  forgotten  the  count  Cobenzel  ! — that 
sage  and  venerable  negotiator  was  there.     A  small,  emacia- 

y 


170 

ted  figure,— pale,  and  worn  out  with  the  intrigues  of  courts, 
he  seemed  to  have  been  reserved  to  witness  the  scene  be- 
fore us,  as  a  refutation  of  all  his  axioms  and  systems. 
With  excellent  good  sense,  he  took  all  in  good  part — he 
was  too  wise  to  betray  dissatisfaction,  and  too  politic  not 
to  bend  to  the  gale.  The  American  ambassador,  Mr. 
Livingston,  plain  and  simple  in  manners  and  dress- 
representing  his  republic  wath  propriety  and  dignity. — 
Of  these,  I  believe,  M.  d'Azara,  held  the  first  rank  for  in- 
tellect ;  he  had  all  the  appearance  of  a  man  of  genius- 
he  seemed  very  much  to  enjoy  the  society  of  Mr.  Fox- 
he  and  the  count  Cobenzel  are  both  since  dead,  as,  no 
doubt,  are  many  other  of  the  actors  in  the  grand  drama  of 
that  day. 

The  illustrious  statesman  of  England,  who  that  day  at- 
tracted every  eye,  is  himself  withdrawn  also  from  mortal 
scenes ! 

A  number  of  English  noblemen  and  gentlemen— many- 
Russians — Swedish  officers,  with  the  white  scarf  on  their 
arm,  also  crowded  the  rooms.  The  cardinal  Caprara  ! 
representing  his  holiness  the  pope,  with  his  scarlet  stock- 
ings and  cap,  was  to  me  a  novel  sight< — he  was  a  polite  and 
dignified  ecclesiastic,  and,  but  that  I  was  imbued  a  little 
with  the  prejudices  of  English  historians  and  other  authors, 
I  should  have  found  nothing  extraordinary  in  the  respecta- 
ble cardinal.      I  am  now  ashamed  that  I  did. 

This  grand  assemblage  were  detained  a  tonsitferablc 
time,  in  the  Salle  des  ambassadeurs^  during  which  several 
servants,  in  splendid  laced  liveries,  handed  round  coffee, 
chocolate,  the  richest  and  finest  wines,  and  cake,  upon 
China,  bearing  the  initial  B.  without  any  armorial,  royal, 
or  established  marks  of  power.  The  heat  was  excessive, 
and  expectation,  wearied  with  the  pause,  began  to  droop^ 
when  the  dopr  opened,  and  the  prefet  dii  Palais  announ- 
ced to  the  cardinal  Caprara,    that   the  first  consul  was 


171 

ready;  he  afterwards  called  upon  M.d'Az  ara — upon  which 
every  one  followed,  without  regular  order  or  distinction 
of  rank.  As  we  ascended  the  great  staircase  of  the  Thu- 
illeries,  between  files  of  musketeers,  what  a  sentiment  was 
excited ! 

As  the  assumption  of  the  consulship  for  life  was  a  de- 
cisive step,  tending  not  only  to  exclude  every  branch  of 
the  old  dynasty,  but  to  erect  a  new  one,  every  sensible 
man  considered  this  day  as  the  epoch  of  a  new  and  regular 
government.  Bonaparte  was  virtually  king  henceforth. 
As  we  passed  through  the  lofty  state  rooms  of  the  former 
kings  of  France,  still  hung  with  the  ancient  tapestry,  very 
little,  if  at  all,  altered^— the  instability  of  human  gran- 
deur was  recalled  to  the  mind  more  forcibly  than  it  had  yet 
been.  The  long  line  of  the  Bourbons  started  to  the  view  ! 
I  breathed  with  difficulty  ^  Volumes  of  history  were  re- 
viewed in  a  glance.  Monarchs  !  risen  from  the  moulder- 
ing tomb,  where  is  your  royal  race  ?  The  last  who  held 
the  sceptre  dyed  the  scaflfold  with  his  blood,  and  sleeps  for- 
gotten and  unknown,   without  tomb,  or  memorial  of  his 

name  ! Rapid    was    the  transition    succeeding!     We 

reached  the  interior  apartment,  where  Bonaparte,  first 
consul,  surrounded  by  his  generals,  ministers,  senators, 
and  officers,  stood  between  the  second  and  third  consuls, 
Le  Brun  and  Cambaceres,  in  the  centre  of  a  semicircle, 
at  the  head  of  the  room  !  The  numerous  assemblage  from 
Salle  dea  Ambassadeurs^  formed  into  another  semicircle, 
joined  themselves  to  that  at  the  head  of  which  stood  the 
first  consul. 

Bonaparte,  of  a  small,  and  by  no  means  commanding 
figure,  dressed  plainly,  though  richly  in  the  embroidered 
consular  coat-^without  powder  in  his  hair,  looked,  at  the 
first  view,  like  a  private  gehtleman,  indifferent  as  to  dress, 
and  devoid  of  all  haughtiness  in  his  air.  The  two  consuls, 
large  and  heavy  men,  seemed  pillars  too  cumbrous  to  sup- 
port themselves,  and,  during  the  levee,  were  sadly  at  a  loss 


172 


what  to  do, — whether  the  snufF-box  or  pocket  handkerchief 
was  to  be  appealed  to,  or  the  left  leg  exchanged  for  the 
right. 

The  moment  the  circle  was  formed,  Bonaparte  began 
with  the  Spanish  ambassador,  then  went  to  the  American, 
with  whom  he  spoke  some  time,  and  so  on,  performing  his 
part  with  ease,  and  very  agreeably :  until  he  came  to  the 
English  ambassador,  who,  after  the  presentation  of  some 
English  noblemen,  announced  to  him  Mr.  Fox !  He  was 
a  good  deal  flurried,  and  after  indicating  considerable 
emotion,  very  rapidly  said—"  Ah!  Mr,  Fox  I — I  have 
heard  with  pleasure  of  your  arrival-— I  have  desired  viuch 
to  see  you — /  have  long  admired  in  you  the  orator 
and  friend  of  his  country^  xvho^  in  constantly  raising-  his 
voice  for  peace^  consulted  that  country^ s  best  i?iterests — 
those  of  Europe — and  of  the  human  race.  The  two  great 
nations  of  Europe  require  peace;  they  have  nothing  to  fear; 
they  ought  to  understand  and  value  one  another.  In  you^ 
Mr.  Fox^  I  see  with  much  satisfaction^  that  great  statesman 
'who  recommended peace^  because  there  was  no  just  object  of 
•war;  who  saw  Europe  desolated  to  no  purpose^  and  xvho 
struggled  for  its  relief^ 

Mr.  Fox  said  little,  or  rather  nothing,  in  reply — to  a 
complimentary  address  to  himself,  he  always  found  invin- 
cible repugnance  to  answer ;  nor  did  he  bestow  one  word 
of  admiration,  or  applause  upon  the  extraordinary  and  ele- 
vated character  who  addressed  him.  A  few  questions  and 
answers  relative  to  Mr.  Fox's  tour,  terminated  the  inter- 
view. 

Amongst  the  distinguished  English  presented  to  Bona- 
parte on  that  day,  was  Mr.  now  lord  Erskine.  I  am 
tempted  to  think  that  he  felt  some  disappointment  at  not 
being  recognised  by  the  first  consul  ;  there  was  some  dif- 
ficulty at  first,  as  lord  Erskine  was  understood  to  speak 
little  French.  M.  Talleyrand's  impatient  whisper  to  me,  I 


173 


fancy,  I  yet  hear,  ^^  Parle-t-il Francois^  Parle-t-il  Fran- 
cotS»^^  Mr,  Merry,  already  fatigued  with  his  presentations, 
and  dreading  a  host  to  come,  imperfectly  designated  lord 
Erskine,  when  the  killing  question  followed,  ''  Etes  vous 
kgiste^"*  was  pronounced  by  Bonaparte  with  great  indiffer- 
ence, or,  at  least,  without  any  marked  attention.^ 

Lord  Erskine,  truly  great  as  he  is  in  England,  was, 
however,  himself  deceived,  if  he  imagined  that  his  well- 
earned  reputation  had  extended  into  foreign  nations.  The 
province  of  the  advocate  is  to  defend  the  equivocal  cause 
of  a  client.  This,  necessarily,  creates  a  confined  and  tech- 
nical species  of  oratory.  The  municipal  laws  of  one  na- 
tion do  not  concern,  or  interest  another.  A  lawyer  from 
Vienna  or  Petersburgh,  however  eminent  at  home,  would 
be  unknown  and  unnoticed  at  the  British  court.  It  is  only, 
and  this  rarely  happens,  when  the  lawyer,  greatly  rising 
into  the  philosopher,  statesman,  and  senator,  displays  ncAV 
and  more  general  abilities,  that  he  ranks  with  the  great 
men  of  other  nations.  The  lawyer's  habits,  and  pursuits 
are,  beside,  adverse  to  the  formation  and  expansion  of 
greatness  of  character;  his  investigations  are  too  micros- 
copic ;  his  subjects  of  study  too  low  and  jejune ;  his  ac- 
cumulations of  wealth  are  too  grovelling ;  and  the  restric- 
tions placed  upon  the  efforts  of  his  genius,  by  the  narrow 
spirit,  the  prejudice,  or  the  envy  of  judges,  disqualify  him 
for  bold  and  liberal  exertions. 

Another  question,  asked  by  Bonaparte,  when  a  young 
English  officer,   handsomely  dressed,   belonging  to  some 

*  One  would  almost  fancy  that  Bonaparte  had  imbibed  from  the  air  of  the 
Thuilleries,  Louis  the  Fourteenth's  disrespect  for,  and  dislike  oilaivyers.  Whe- 
ther the  distinction  between  "  les^iste"  and  ''jxirisconsulte'^  is  an  important  one, 
•whether  the  former  or  the  latter  is  the  more  dignified,  I  cannot  say,  but  Louis's 
words  to  his  ambassador,  Barilloti,  are  not  very  flattering  to  the  self-importance 
of  that  profession  :  his  majesty  writes  : 

"  Je  n'ai  rien  a  vous  dire  sur  le  choix  que  le  roy  d'Angletere  a  fait  du  che- 
valier Trambal  pour  remplir  la  place  du  sieur  Preston  :  mais  ii  me  pai'oit  que 
lajquaiite  Ae  jxirisconsulte  Anq-lois,  n*est  pas  la  plus  convenable  pour  main- 
tenir  la  bonne  intelligence  entre  moi  et  la  roy  d'Angleterre,  et  qu'elie  ne  sert 
souvent  qu't,  trouver  des  difficultes,  on  il  n'y  en  doit  point  avoir." 


174 

English  militia  regiment,  was  presented  to  him,  without 
any  announcement,  or  key  to  his  rank  and  quality, — qu^a-t 
it  fait  f  Was  a  lesson  :  and  if  the  commander  in  chief 
established  this  qiCa-t  ilfait?  as  a  test  of  merit,  and  grv^e 
promotion  according  to  the  answer,  he  would  obtain  the 
thanks  of  the  nation.  The  ceremony  was  not  long, 

Bonaparte  went  round  the  circle  a  second  time,  ad- 
dressing a  few  words  here  and  there,  without  form,  and 
finally  placing  himself  between  the  two  consuls,  he  bowed 
slightly,  but  expressively,  when  the  company  withdrew. 

It  would  be  superfluous  to  speak  much  of  a  matter  so 
well  known  or  so  long  canvassed.  I  shall  mention  a  few 
ideas  only  which  occurred  to  me,  and  make  but  few  obser- 
vations on  this  celebrated  person.  His  stature  being  small, 
and  his  person,  though  not  ill,  yet  not  very  well  formed, 
he  cannot,  on  that  account,  be  supposed  to  have  a  very 
striking  air,  but  his  countenance  has  powerful  expression;* 
and  decision  and  determination,  when  he  is  grave  and 
thoughtful,  are  most  emphatically  marked  in  it.  His  eyes 
are  common  grey,  and  have  nothing  remarkable  in  them. 
I  am  disposed  to  think,  that  the  lower  part  of  the  face, 
which  is  the  most  striking  in  that  of  Bonaparte,  is  the 
most  decisive  indication  of  an  inexorable  and  prompt  line 
of  conduct.  In  performing  the  honours  of  the  levee,  this 
was  not  at  all  observable  ;  his  smile  was  extremely  engag- 
ing; his  general  expressions  very  pleasing,  and  his  man- 
ners divested  of  all  haughtiness,  without  manifesting  the 
least  of  that  studied  condescension,  which,  in  persons  of 
great  rank,  is  often  more  offensive  even  than  arrogance 
and  rudeness.  Admiring  him  as  a  great  military  character, 
whose  reputation  was  undoubted  and  hard-earned,  I  look- 
ed upon  Bonaparte  as  a  superior  man,  born  to  command 
the  destinies  of  millions,  and  felt  incredible  satisfaction  at 
beholding  this  great  general.  His  presence,  however,  in- 
spired me  with  no  awe.  The  military  exploits  of  the  war- 
rior  have    their    exclusive   merit,    as    demonstrations  of 


175 

genius  and  talent,  irresistibly  influencing  the  fate  of  so- 
ciety, but  falling  far  short  of  the  exertions  of  the  poet,  the 
orator  and  the  legislator.  That  which  adorns  and  gives 
resplendent  lustre  to  the  military  character  is  the  love  of 
liberty,  impelling  the  warrior  to  beat  down  the  iron  hand 
of  oppression  and  despotism,  and  accomplishing  the  inde- 
pendence and  happiness  of  millions. 

At  the  moment  I  saw  Bonaparte  in  the  midst  of  gene- 
rals, ambassadors,  and  courtiers, — Aloys  Reding,  labour- 
ing to  emancipate  the  Swiss  from  the  yoke  of  foreigners, 
was  to  me  a  far  more  respectable  and  more  truly  elevated 
object.  The  wicked  attempt  to  subdue  Spain  had  not  then 
commenced,  an  attempt  far  less  excusable  than  the  subju- 
gation of  Switzerland,  and  productive  of  infinitely  more 
misery  and  bloodshed.  It  has  since  taken  place,  and  has 
forever  tarnished  the  fame  of  Bonaparte.  The  republican 
general  converted  into  an  emperor,  follows  the  career  of 
Louis  XIV.  with  far  superior  energy  and  perseverance, 
doubtless,  with  more  extended  views,  and  much  greater 
power. 

"  When  black  ambition  stains  a  public  cause,"  we  no 
longer  revere  and  applaud  the  consummate  general  or  al^Ie 
monarch.  I  had  heard,  too,  that  Toussaint,  the  friend  akl 
bope  of  his  country,  had  been  seized,  and  was  on  his  way 
to  a  prison  in  France.  I  did  not  then  know  that  he  had 
there  languished  and  died  ,*  but  I  pitied  the  sable  chieftain, 
and  could  not  esteem  his  oppressor.  An  enlightened  mind, 
and  a  just  appreciation  of  the  rights  of  men,  had  distin- 
guished this  character.  Could  I  have  seen  him  pining  in  a 
lonely  dungeon,  his  hopes  extinguished,  his  family  and 
friends  far  distant,  ignorant  of  his  country's  fate,  and  sur- 
rounded by  men  who  little  sympathized  with  him  ;  could  I 
have  seen  him  languishing  out  his  few  remaining  days, 
"his  dark  visage  saddened  and  withering,  and  his  groans 
hourly  growing  fainter ! — How  little  then  should  I  have 
enjoyed  this  splendid  levee ;  how  gladly  should  I  have 


176 

withdrawn!  As  it  was,  I  left  the  Thuilleries  with  my 
curiosity  gratified,  but  without  feeling  any  impression  of 
pleasure  or  admiration  from  having  seen  the  first  consul. 

To  entertain  such  sentiments  was  unavoidable,  and 
would  have  been  inexcusable  in  me,  living,  as  I  did,  at 
this  time,  in  the  society  of  Mr.  Fox.  The  sterling  supe- 
riority of  that  great  man's  character,  then  a  simple  indi- 
vidual, divested  of  all  power,  but  still  the  advocate  and 
supporter  of  liberty  and  peace— the  philosopher,  scholar, 
and  orator,  untainted  by  ambition,  vanity,  or  avarice,  full 
of  humanity,  and  hating  cruelty,  as  well  in  governments 
as  in  individuals,  even  his  mild  domestic  virtues  conspired 
to  make  me  view  the  astonishing  spectacle  at  the  Thuille- 
ries, with  indifference  and  calmness.  The  very  research  at 
the  Depot  des  Archives^  contributed  to  produce  such  a 
frame  of  mind.  I  was  daily  reading  the  letters  of  Louis 
XIV.  once  styled  the  Great^  whose  meanness  of  soul,  and 
narrowness  of  spirit,  as  well  as  his  total  want  of  generous 
views,  and  of  liberality  in  his  estimate  of  human  nature^ 
had  sufficiently  disgusted  me  with  a  great,  arbitrary  mon- 
arch, had  I  not  been  seeing  an  embryo  one. 

After  the  levee,  a  very  pleasant  party  of  English,  invi- 
ted by  lord  R.  Spencer,  dined  at  Roberts's,  the  first  resto- 
rateur's  in  Paris  :  as  it  consisted  of  ladies  and  gentlemen 
it  was  extremely  pleasant.  The  entertainment  was  sump- 
tuous, and  served  up  with  the  same  order  and  elegance, 
as  in  a  private  house.  Among  others,  Mr.  Kemble,  the 
monarch  of  the  English  stage,  was  there ;  but  accustomed, 
as  I  was,  to  the  ease  and  elegance  of  the  French,  as  also 
to  the  unaffected  nobleness  of  manner  in  English  persons 
of  high  rank,  Mr.  Kemble  did  not  strike  me  as  agreeable. 
There  was  an  air  of  self- consequence  which  repelled — a 
manner  which  did  not  harmonize  with  the  tone  of  Paris  ; 

Mr.   Kemble,  when  he  was    civil,  was  condescending; 

and  when  he  spoke,  it  was  a  little  in  the  style  of  an  oracle. 
He  was  a  polite  gentleman,  however,  well-informed,  and 


177 

desirous   of   information ;  paying   a  just  tribute   to   the 
French  stage,  and  wanting  only  six  or  twelve  months  resi- 
dence in  France,  to  soften  the  oracle  into  a  pleasing  com- 
panion, and  the  monarch  into  a  friendly  man.      The  com- 
pany was  select  and  agreeable  ;  and,  amongst  his  old  friends 
and  eminent  countrymen,  Mr.  Fox  in  particular,  was  quite 
cheerful  and  happy.    The  fatiguing  ceremonies  of  the  day, 
and  the  grandeur  of  the   new  court  of  France,  were  for- 
gotten in  the  social  converse  of  the  evening*     The  simpli- 
city and   dignified  manners  of  the  English  nobility,  never 
appeared  to  me  to  greater  advantage.      Their  independent 
minds    made   them  review    with  philosophic  indifference, 
the  pageant  of  the  Thuilleries.     They  met  it  as  a  matter 
of  course  ;   as  a  thing  resulting  from  the  inevitable  conse- 
quences  of  the   war ;  not,   however,    without  reflections 
upon  the  mistakes  and  ignorance    of  that  ministry,  who 
had   so    essentially  contributed  to  place  Bonaparte  on  his 
new  throne,  and  to  raise  the  French  nation  to  so  unexam- 
pled an  height ;  in  fine,  they  appreciated  every  thing  with 
exact  justice,    without    indulging    in    foolish    invectives 
against  the  first  magistrate  of  the  nation,  in  the   midst  of 
which  they  were,  nor  repining  at  success,  which  appeared 
beyond  the  power  of  man  to  counteract* 

The  following  day  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox,  and  some  of  their 
friends,  went  to  visit  the  celebrated  abbe  Sieyes.  They 
found  him  in  retirement  about  twelve  miles  from  Paris, 
cultivating  his  estates,  (national  domain)  to  a  considerable 
extent  granted  him  by  the  new  consular  government,  as  a 
remuneration  for  the  past,  an  asylum  for  the  future,  and  a 
proper  eloignement  from  all  subsequent  cares  of  govern- 
ment. Here  he  enjoyed  a  happy  domestic  life  ;  but  as  I 
did  not  see  him,  I  am  unable  to  sketch  his  character  or 
manners.  Mr.  Fox  seemed  to  consider  him  in  a  respect- 
able light,  but  to  entertain  no  very  high  opinion  of  him. 


CHAPTER  XIL 


THE  recurrence  to  the  best  historical  researches^ 
was  a  useful  as  well  as  instructive  labour,  as  it  rendered 
other  enjoyments  more  poignant,  and  prevented  the  tedium 
arising  from  too  much  amusement  and  pleasure.  The 
character  of  Louis  the  XlVth,  studied  in  the  quietness  of 
the  Rue  du  Bacq^  and  devested  of  all  its  transitory  glare, 
was  a  good  corrective,  if  any  were  wanting,  of  undue  ad- 
miration of  any  arbitrary  despot.  The  manner  in  which 
Louis  received  the  account  of  the  death  of  Charles  the  IL 
and  his  subsequent  suspicions  of  James,  showed,  that  he 
considered  Charles  as  a  dependent,  having  more  talents 
than  his  brother, — more  entirely  unprincipled — and,  con- 
sequently more  useful  to  him. — "  J'ai  appris,"  says  the 
king,  "  avec  etonnement  et  en  deplaisir  bien  sensible  la 
mort  si  subite  du  roi  d'Angleterre."  He  speaks  exactly 
as  if  he  were  the  arbiter  of  events,  and  that  he  had  a  right 
to  be  angry  when  one  of  his  vassals  died  inopportunely 
for  him. 

Mr.  Fox  discovered,  with  some  surprise,  how  extreme- 
ly bigotted  to  his  religion  Louis  was  :  it  was  evident  in  all 
the  letters  to    Barillon.     Thus,  whilst   he  was  bribing  a 


179 

a  monarch  to  trample  down  and  debase  his  subjects,  he 
was  also  urging  the  restoration  of  the  catholic  religion, 
whose  precepts  forbade  the  interference  with,  or  the  over- 
throw of,  established  governments.  I  am  inclined  to  think 
that  James  had  more  pride  than  Charles,  or  rather  that 
the  latter  had  none,  and  that  though  James's  conduct  was 
clearly  a  continuation  of  Charles's  as  to  money  and  pro- 
fessions of  subservience  to  France,  yet  that  his  pride  at  all 
times  led  him  to  act  the  independent  English  monarch,  to 
the  great  displeasure  of  the  haughty  Louis.  James  pro- 
bably desired  to  become  an  absolute  monarch,  independent 
of  his  parliament,  and  of  the  French  king;  but  as  he  knew 
that  his  arduous  attempt  required  secret  funds  to  support 
him,  he  dissembled  with  Louis,  and  did  not  do  more  than 
encourage  foreign  ambassadors  to  hope  something  from 
him  ;  thus  Louis,  doubting  the  sincerity  of  James's  com- 
munications to  Barillon,  says,  in  writing  of  the  renewal  of 
his  treaty  with  the  States  General ,  "  Je  trouve  que  les 
ministres  etrangers  ont  raison  de  ne  le  pas  regarder,  com- 
me  une  simple  formalite,  ainsi  que  le  cour  ou  vous  etes 
veut  vous  le  persuader.  J'estime  au  contraire  qu'elle 
jette  par  la  le  fondement  d'une  ligne  qui  peut  donner  cou- 
rage a  ceux  qui  ne  pouvent  soufFrir  le  repos,  dont  I'Eu- 
rope  jouit  a  present."  He  also  testifies  similar  uneasiness 
in  regard  to  Spain. 

In  the  progress  of  the  research,  Mr.  Fox  displayed  all 
the  qualities  of  a  man  of  business ;  attentive,  indefatiga- 
ble, and  acute  ;  allowing  neither  to  himself  nor  his  asso- 
ciates any  remission  till  the  allotted  business  of  the  day 
was  performed. 

Some  time  after  the  levee,  we  dined  at  M.  Talleyrand's, 
at  Ntiuilly  ;  we  went  between  six  and  seven,  but  did  not 
dine  till  eight.  The  dinner  hour  at  Paris  had  become 
ridiculously  late,  and  as  in  London  in  fashionable  life,  re- 
sembled more  the  Roman  supper,  than  what  accords 
with   the   modern   term  dinner.     M.  Tallevrand  was  at 


180 

Malmaison,  transacting  business  with  the  first  consul,  and 
the  dinner  waited  for  him.  Every  thing  was  in  a  profuse 
and  elegant  style  ;  M.  Talleyrand  and  Madame  sat  in  the 
sides  of  the  table  ;  the  company,  amounting  to  between  thirty 
and  forty,  (and  this,  I  believe,  did  not  much  exceed  the  ordi- 
nary daily  number)  were  attended  by  almost  as  many  ser- 
vants, without  any  livery.  Behind  Madame  Talleyrand's 
chair,  two  young  blacks,  splendidly  habited  in  laced  clothes, 
were  placed ;  the  master  of  the  feast  devoted  himself  to  a 
few  distinguished  persons  around  him;  on  them  he  be- 
stowed his  most  chosen  and  precious  wine,  and  to  them 
he  directed  all  his  conversation. 

Several  emigres  and  ex-nobles,  who  had  made  their 
peace  with  government,  and  were  desirous  of  advancement, 
or  sought  relief  or  compensation  under  the  new  regime, 
were  at  the  lower  end  of  the  table.  They  were  little  no- 
ticed, or  if  I  said  were  altogether  neglected,  I  should  be 
more  correct.  As  I  sat  near  some  of  them,  I  was  filled 
with  concern  for  their  altered  state  :  those  who  have  never 
had  an  elevated  station  in  life,  do  not  feel,  comparatively 
speaking,  half  the  stings  and  arrows  of  outrageous  fortune, 
when  calamity  and  poverty  fall  upon  them.  The  due 
d'Uzeze,  (ci-devant)  formerly  one  of  the  first  and  most 
ancient  peers  of  old  France,  was  close  to  me  ;  he  was  now 
a  humble  and  distressed  individual,  devested  of  title  and 
property,  and  seeking,  at  the  table  of  the  minister  for  fo- 
reign affairs,  under  the  consular  government,  for  notice 
and  assistance.  He  had  come  to  Neuilly  in  a  hired  one- 
horse  cabriolet,  without  servant  or  companion.  He  was 
of  a  genteel,  prepossessing,  and  rather  youthful  appear- 
ance, and  seemed  to  bear  his  change  of  fortune  with  an 
admirable  degree  of  philosophy  and  good  humour,  and 
was  even  playful  upon  his  own  situation,  and  spoke  of  the 
splendor  and  elevation  of  others,  without  rancour  or  envy, 
I  could  have  imagined  myself,  after  the  battle  of  Brundu- 
cium,  sitting  at  a  Roman  table,  Julius  Caesar  triumphant^ 


.# 


181 

and  the  exiles  returning,  and  permitted  to  become  guests 
of  the  triumphant  party. 

The  company  was  mixed.  A  young  naval  officer  sat 
at  the  foot  of  the  table.  M.  Hauterive,  of  the  depart- 
ment of  foreign  affairs,  was  near  me  :  he  was  sensible, 
unaffected,  and  well  informed  ;  of  plain  but  conciliating 
manners  ;  he  seemed  a  man  of  integrity  and  sincerity^ 
estimable  qualities  in  a  courtier  ! — M.  Roederer  also  was 
there — several  officers,  two  or  three  physicians,  a  few  Eng- 
lish and  other  foreigners. 

In  the  evening  Madame  I'alleyrand's  circle  commenced. 
The  corps  diplomatique  flowed  in,  and  the  minister,  the 
whole  remainder  of  the  evening,  transacted  business  with 
them,  taking  one  aside  at  one  a  time,  to  one  room,  ano- 
ther to  another.  Count  Cobenzel,  the  Nestor  of  the 
band,  was  there — Each  member  of  the  corps  looked  "  un- 
utterable things." The  interests  of  nations  were  thus 

discussed  beside  a  picture  or  chimney  piece,  and  I  could 
not  but  admire  the  dexterity  and  attention  of  M.  Talley- 
rand. The  prince  of  Saxe  Weimar  took  his  leave  this 
evening  of  Madame,  on  his  return  to  Germany  ;  a  pleas- 
ing young  man,  promising  to  be  respectable  and  good,  if 
his  rank  did  not  harden  his  heart,  and  pride  beset  its  best 
avenues  !  The  abbate  Casti,  author  of  "  Gli  Ammali 
parlantij^  added  to  the  interest  cf  the  evening  assembly—-. 
he  was  eighty  years  of  age — his  head  was  white,  and  his 
figure  inclined  with  age ;  but  he  was  vivacious,  talkative, 
and  gay  ;  admiral  Brueys,  a  very  animated  little  man, 
(who  is,  I  think,  since  dead,)  proud  of  his  daughter,  a  very 
young  girl,  who  danced  inimitably — Russian,  German, 
Italian  nobles  and  their  spouses ;  and  many  polite  and 
agreeable  French  people — continued  to  come  in  and  diver- 
sify the  scene.  Madame  Talleyrand  maintained  a  good 
deal  of  state,  and  was  attended,  on  entering  the  drawing 
room,  by  two  young  females,  elegantly  clothed  in  white, 
and  burning  frankincense  as  she  advanced. 


182 


Mr.  Fox  alternately  conversed  or  played  at  cards— al- 
ways easy,  and  always  animated  ;  he  who  in  the  retirement 
of  St.  Anne's  Hill  appeared  devoted  to  a  rural  and  philo- 
sophic life  so  entirely  as  if  he  had  never  moved  in  the  politi- 
cal sphere,  now  was  the  polished  and  accomplished  gentle- 
man, speaking  French,  Italian,  or  Spanish,  admired  by  all,  a 
much  for  the  amiability  of  his  character  and  manners,  as 
he  had  long  been  for  the  splendour  of  his  talents.  As  the 
weather  continued  extremely  hot,  the  entertainments  of 
the  minister  for  foreign  affairs  were  very  agreeable  in 
the  country  ;  and  the  drive  on  returning  to  Paris,  in  these 
charming  serene  nights,  was  very  often  not  the  least  agree- 
able part  of  the  excursion.  The  day  after  this  dinner, 
and  heuceforth,  we  dined  frequently  at  Neuilly. 

Madame  Bonaparte's  drawing  room  succeeded  :  it 
was  held  in  the  lower  apartments  of  the  Thuilleries.  The 
ceremony  was  short,  cold,  and  insipid  :  Madame,  the  dis- 
parity of  whose  age  and  appearance,  from  that  of  the  first 
consul,  was  ill  concealed  by  a  great  deal  of  rouge,  sat  at 
the  head  of  a  circle  of  ladies  richly  habited.  Buonaparte, 
after  they  had  paid  their  compliments,  came  from  an  inte- 
rior apartment,  went  round  to  the  circle,  said  a  few  words 
to  these  ladies,  and  retired.  Mr.  Fox  stayed  but  a  short 
time  ;  having  paid  his  compliments  to  Madame,  there  was 
nothing  interesting  for  him  in  this  state  affair.  This  lady 
was  spoken  extremely  well  of  at  Paris ;  her  humanity  and 
disposition  to  befriend,  were  allowed  by  all ;  and  it  was  said 
that  whenever  she  could,  she  interfered  to  alleviate  the  dis- 
tresses, and  procure  pardon  for  those  who  had  incurred  the 
displeasure  of  government.  It  was  considered  that  whatever 
had  been  the  errors  of  her  earlier  days,  she  had  redeemed 
them  by  the  many  good  actions  she  had  performed,  and 
from  thence  a  sentiment  of  respect  had  been  generated, 
v/hich  softened  envy,  and  gave  a  sort  of  dignity  to  her, 
very  advantageous  in  her  high  station. 

Mr.  Fox  seemed  to  think  extremely  well  of  her.  As 
she  loved  plants  and  understood  botany,  he  found  it  agree- 


183 

able  to  converse  with  her  on  this  elegant  and  interesting 
subject.  She  had  enriched  Malmaison  bv  a  very  fine  and 
choice  collection  of  plants,  and  it  is  fair  to  presume,  that 
she  who  raised  to  a  throne  employed  herself  in  acts  of  hu- 
manity, and  in  this  innocent  and  delightful  pursuit,  pos- 
sessed no  common  mind.  It  was  said  in  Paris,  however, 
at  this  time,  that  Madame  Bonaparte  had  been  nearly  dis- 
graced several  times,  but  that  the  brothers  of  the  first 
consul  supported  her,  on  the  expectation  that  if  he  had 
no  issue  of  his  own,  some  of  their  children  might  succeed 
him  ;  so  that  a  divorce  was  probably  in  Bonaparte's  con- 
templation, from  the  moment  that  he  saw  a  prospect  of 
making  the  government  permanent  and  hereditary  ! 

At  this  time  an  invitation  was  sent  to  Mr.  Fox,  from 
Miss  Helen  Maria  Williams.  She  requested  the  pleasure 
of  his  company  to  an  evening  party,  and  to  express  how 
much  this  honour  would  gratify  her,  wrote  that  it  would 
be  "  a  white  day,"  thus  distinguished.  Some  of  Mr, 
Fox's  friends  wished  him  to  decline  this  invitation  altoge- 
ther, from  apprehension  of  giving  a  handle  to  ill-nature  and 
calumny.  He,  however,  always  the  same,  disdaining  the 
fear  of  suspicion^  and  unwilling  ungraciously  to  refuse  an 
invitation  earnestly  pressed,  did  not  agree  with  them,  and 
went  for  a  short  time.  I  mention  this  circumstance  be- 
cause it  proves  how  unwilling  he  was  to  give  offence  or 
pain,  as  also,  how  much  he  soared  above  common  party 
views.  He  was  aware  that  he  might  be  misrepresented 
and  blackened  for  going  to  Miss  Williams's  conversazione^ 
as  much  as  he  had  been  for  admitting  Mr.  A.  O'Connor 
to  his  presence  ;  but  he  despised  slander,  was  not  anxious 
for  place,  and  was  too  benignant  to  slight,  with  contempt 
and  scorn,  the  request  of  an  accomplished  female,  whose 
vanity,  as  well  as  a  natural  admiration  of  so  great  a  man, 
were  deeply  concerned  that  he  should  grant  it. 

A   very  interesting  dinner,  to  which  Mr.  Fox  was  at 
this   time   invited,    brought   vividly    to   recollection    th^ 


184 


horrors  and  excesses  of  revolutionary  times.  M.  Per- 
regaux,  a  banker  noted  for  his  wealth,  integrity,  and  po- 
liteness, requested  Mr.  Fox  and  several  of  his  friends  to 
dine  with  him  :  he  was  a  man  advanced  in  years,  of  a  no- 
ble presence,  and  most  agreeable  frankness  of  manners. 
The  company  was  select  and  pleasing.  M.  Perregaux,  by 
his  good  sense  and  consummate  prudence,  had  escaped  the 
very  worst  times  of  Robespierre.  It  was,  however,  still  a 
matter  of  wonder  to  himself  how  he  had  escaped.  He  had 
seen  his  friends  daily  fall  around  him,  and,  having  a  small 
country  house  at  Passy,  a  short  distance  from  Paris,  he  re- 
tired there  to  avoid  being  in  the  midst  of  accumulated 
horrors,  and  often  in  a  calm  day,  or  evening,  heard  dis« 
tinctly  the  chop  of  the  guillotine. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


WE  continued  busily  employed  every  morning  in 
transcribing  and  reading  at  the  office  of  the  archives ; 
and,  as  we  were  never  interrupted  or  disturbed,  I  was  sur- 
prised one  day  by  the  door  opening.  A  stranger  of  an 
interesting  and  graceful  figure  came  gentle  in,  advanced 
rapidly,  and  in  embracing  Mr.  Fox,  shewed  a  countenance 
full  of  joy,  while  tears  rolled  down  his  cheeks.  Mr.  Fox 
testified  equal  emotion.  It  was  M.  de  la  Fayette,  the 
virtuous  and  unshaken  friend  of  liberty  !  Louis,  James,  Ba» 
rillon,  all  vanished  from  my  mind — a  more  gratifying  sub- 
ject for  contemplation  was  before  me ! 

Fayette,  at  a  very  early  age,  had  visited  London ;  he 
had  there  become  acquainted  with  Mr.  Fox,  and  they  had 
not  met  again  till  now.  There  was  too  much  congeniality 
in  their  souls  not  to  produce  an  early  and  strong  sentiment 
of  friendship.  Destined  from  their  youth  to  be,  in  their 
respective  countries,  the  protectors  of  the  sacred  cause  of 
liberty,  they  had  followed  different  paths,  but  each  led  to 
the  same  temple- — that  oi  glory  founded  on  the  people's 
happiness, 

%  A 


186 


M.  Fayette,  born  under  a  despotic  regime,  saw  notKing 
in  his  own  country  to  employ  a  young  and  enthusiastic 
mind.  North  America  attracted  his  attention— sorely  op- 
pressed, asking  for  justice— all  her  complaints  rejected-— 
her  petitions  unheededher — murmurs  disregarded — America 
was  beginning  to  feel  the  sacred  impulse  of  liberty — she 
was  stretching  and  unfolding  her  half-fledged  wings, 
doubting  her  powers — dreading  her  adversary — and  waver- 
ing between  submission  and  despair : — she  was  in  the  in- 
fancy of  her  strength,  when  Fayette,  animated  with  the 
glorious  cause,  left  all  the  luxuries  and  indulgences  which 
rank  and  fortune  could  procure  him,  crossed  the  Atlantic, 
and  offered  himself  to  the  Americans,  as  a  champion  and  a 
friend.  He  built,  at  his  own  expense,  a  frigate,  to  aid 
the  cause  ;  and,  by  his  military  and  civil  exertions,  contri- 
buted not  a  little  to  the  emancipation  of  the  United  States 
of  America !  Whilst  Fayette  thus  promoted  the  cause  of 
liberty  in  America,  his  noble  friend,  in  the  British  house 
of  commons,  laboured,  with  equal  zeal,  to  inspire  an  ob- 
stinate and  unenlightened  ministry  with  respect  for  the 
rights  of  humanity,  and  mercy  for  the  tortured  Americans  : 
loudly  and  repeatedly  he  raised  his  voice  in  their  favour.^ 
and  if  he  did  not  convince  the  ministry^  he  at  length  con- 
vinced the  nation. 

Peace  was  made,  and  Fox  found  his  benevolent  mind 
relieved  from  hearing  daily  of  civil  discord,  of  unavailing 
bloodshed,  and  of  horrid  v/arfare,  in  which  each  party  was 
weakened,  no  object  was  gained,  and  the  enemies  of  the 
tv/o  countries  could  alone  find  pleasure.  America  was 
acknowledged  independent  :  her  prosperity  has  since  been 
progressive  and  unexampled ;  and  it  is  no  common  debt  of 
gratitude  she  owes  to  Fox  and  Fa5^ette.  The  affectionate 
interview  which  took  place  before  my  eyes,  between  those 
great  and  excellent  men,  gave  a  new  turn  to  my  thoughts, 
I  observed,  with  secret  and  unspeakable  satisfaction,  that 
purity  of  principles,  and  goodness  of  heart,  formed  a  bond 
which  no  time  or  separation  dissolves.     These  great  and 


187 

good  men  had  not  met  for  many  long  years — different 
countries  contained  them — different  pursuits  occupied  them 
— different  connexions  engaged  them — but  their  excellent 
minds  still  sympathized;  their  hearts  were  united,  and  the 
people's  cause  was  to  both  like  a  polar  star. 

M.  de  la  Fayette  had  come  from  the  country  to  see 
3Ir.  Fox,  and  to  invite  him  to  his  house.  He  now  resid- 
ed entirely  there,  and  had  been  allured  from  his  retire- 
ment by  this  call  of  friendship  and  affection.  In  a  few 
moments  their  sentiments  were  interchanged,*  in  a  few 
looks  their  thoughts  were  known.  The  review  of  the  past 
was  taken  in  a  moment,  and  they  soon  appeared  to  be  af- 
fectionate friends,  who,  having  parted  for  a  few  days, 
were  now  reunited.  M.  de  la  Fayette  resided  about 
thirty  miles  from  Paris,  and  was  quite  unconnected  with, 
and  unconsulted  by,  the  government.  He  viewed  the  new 
state  of  things  with  melancholy  and  regret;  not  from  an 
unfavourable  opinion  of  the  first  consul,  but  from  a  root- 
ed and  principled  conviction,  that  arbitrary  power  is  in- 
jurious to  the  happiness  of  the  people. 

The  reader  will  find  annexed  to  this  volume,  a  letter  of 
M.  de  la  Fayette,    on  the  consulship  for  life,  which,  as  it 
is  in  perfect  consonance   with  every  act  of  that  excellent 
and  pure  character,  will  be  studied  with  pleasure  by  every 
lover  of  liberty.     A  fervent  and  chastened  love  of  freedom 
is   conspicuous  in  it:    and    the  patriotic  author  seems   to 
have  closed  his  political  career  by  this  last  act,  in    a  way 
which  will  endear  him  to  posterity,  and  rank  his  name  in 
history,  as  the   undeviating  patriot,  the  friend  of  his  coun- 
try's rights,  and,  in  every  place  and  situation,  the    oppon- 
ent of  despotic   power. — Let  him  who  peruses  this  letter 
feel  the  value  of  steadiness  of  principle,  but  let  no  one  pre- 
sume,  in   order  to  throw   blame   upon    Bonaparte,  to    set 
forth  this  interesting  document  as  evidence  of  his  crimi- 
nality, who  himself  every  day  prostitutes  himself  to  pow- 
er, and  riots  in  the  spoils  of  an  abused  people.      Fayette 


188 

trixite  for  the  world  and  posterity.  His  view  was  not  to 
disturb  an  established  government,  or  indulge  in  petulance 
and  spleen ;  but  to  leave  a  record,  which  in  future  times 
might  vindicate  his  own  character,  and  inform  his  descen- 
dants, that  to  the  last  Fayette  was  consistent. 

Since  his  retirement,  and  in  the  gloomy  prospects  of 
the  republic,  he  had  lived  in  the  most  private  and  simple 
manner ;  in  the  bosom  of  a  tender  and  affectionate  family 
he  found  every  consolation;  he  frequented  no  place  of 
amusement,  never  went  to  the  theatre,  and,  with  a  limited 
and  curtailed  fortune,  exhibited  the  bright  example  of  a 
public  man,  content  with  a  little,  free  from  envious  and 
angry  feelings,  and  willing  to  live  in  dignified  silence,  when 
he  had  not  the  power  to  do  good.  Mr.  Fox  cheerfully 
complied  with  M.  de  la  Fayette's  wish  of  seeing  him  at 
La  Grange^  (the  name  of  his  country  house,)  and  agreed 
to  visit  him  in  a  fortnight. 

Mr.  Fox  this  day  received  all  the  gratification  of  a  feel- 
ing and  affectionate  mind.  The  family  of  general  Fox 
had  arrived;  and,  as  no  man  was  more  domestic,  no  man 
was  more  attached  to  all  his  family,  he  found  in  his  ex- 
tended circle,  further  enlarged  by  Mr.  Henry  Fox,  his 
nephew,  and  niece,  every  gratification  he  could  desire. 
That  amiable  family  were  worthy  their  exalted  relative, 
and  it  added  not  merely  to  his  satisfaction  in  seeing  them 
around  him  in  Paris,  but  their  presence  highly  contributed 
to  the  pleasure  and  charm  of  our  select  society. 

On  the  following  day,  we  drove  to  St.  Cloud,  having 
obtained  an  order  of  admission.  That  superb  chateau 
was  now  furnishing,  and  putting  incomplete  order  for  the 
reception  of  the  first  consul.  As  we  approached  it  every 
thing  wore  a  military  appearance ;  sentinels,  every  twenty 
yards,  paraded  about,  diminishing,  in  my  eyes,  the  beauty 
of  the  place.  When  we  entered,  however,  the  display  of 
elegance,  taste,  and  riches,  dazzled  and  enchanted  every 
pye.  Every  room  was  fitted  up  differently.  The  silk  in  each 


189 

w^s  of  a  dlfFerent  colour.  The  gallery  and  chapel  were 
untouched,  remaining  as  the  royal  family  had  left  them ; 
but  the  whole  was,  we  understood,  to  be  altered  and  im- 
proved ;  and  none  of  the  furniture  or  ornaments  placed 
there  by  the  queen  was  to  be  retained.  The  style  of  orna- 
menting was  in  the  most  exquisite  taste.  We  saw  a  plain 
and  commodious  cabinet,  fitted  up  for  the  first  consul, 
and  a  most  superb  and  costly  bath  for  Madame.  The 
expense  of  furnishing  and  fitting  up,  St.  Cloud,  was  esti- 
mated at  500,000. 

As  Mr.  Fox  proceeded  in  his  research  among  the  ar- 
chives, an  occasional  day  intervened,  as  he  advanced  in 
his  progress,  which  was  given  to  invitations,  or  visits  of 
an  interesting  nature,  A  dejeuner^  given  by  Madame 
Recamier,  at  Clichy,  at  this  time,  collected  almost  every 
distinguished  person  at  Paris:  we  went  there  about  three 
o'clock.  So  much  has  been  said  of  the  beauty  of  the 
charming  hostess,  that  it  would  be  superfluous  to  say  more, 
than  that  every  one  was  captivated  by  it.  But  her  simple 
and  unaffected  manners,  a  genuine  mildness  and  goodness  of 
disposition,  obvious  in  all  she  said  arid  did,  with  as  little 
vanity  as  is  possible  to  conceive,  in  a  young  woman  so 
extravagantly  admired,  were  still  more  interesting.  She 
received  her  visitors  with  singular  ease  and  frankness. 
The  house  at  Clichy  was  a  pretty  one,  and  the  gar^lens 
extended  to  the  river ;  in  the  latter  the  company  walked 
about  till  all  were  assembled. 

There,  for  the  first  time,  we  saw  general  Moreau;  his 
appearance  was  plain  and  heavy,  his  dress  rather  negli- 
gent ,*  his  countenance,  I  thought,  denoted  indolence,  and 
his  air  had  nothing  martial  or  elevated.  He  struck  me, 
then,  as  quite  inadequate  to  be  placed  in  competition  with 
Bonaparte  ;  there  was  much  bon  honune^  much  calmness 
about  him ;  but  I  discovered  no  latent  energy ;  and  al- 
though I  endeavoured  to  admire  him  for  his  past  exploits, 
I  could  not  bring  myself  to  think  him  a  j^reat  man.      Mr- 


190 


Fox  addressed  himself  to  him,  and  turned  the  discourse 
upon  Louis  XIV.  and  the  history  of  those  times.  Mo- 
reau,  upon  this  subject,  was  dull,  and  did  not  elicit 
one  spark  of  intelligence.  Afterwards  at  table,  he  was  free 
in  his  discourse  about  the  army ;  but  those  who  heard  his 
conversation  remarked  that  he  testified  more  want  of 
thought,  than  prudence,  in  his  manner  of  expressing  him- 
self. Moreau  was  above  the  middle  size,  but  his  person 
was  ungraceful,  and  not  well  formed.  He  lived  at  this 
time  about  ten  or  twelve  miles  from  Paris,  and  was  said 
to  be  much  devoted  to  his  wife  and  to  hunting. 

Eugene  Beauharnois,  viceroy  of  Italy,  was  at  this 
entertainment;  and  a  great  crowd  of  French  characters, 
eminent  for  rank  and  talents.  Since  the  period  of  which 
I  write,  the  amiable  and  lovely  Madame  Recamier,  has 
sustained  a  great  reverse  of  fortune,  by  the  failure  of  Mon- 
sieur Recamier,  who  was  a  banker.  She  bore  her  fall,  it 
is  said,  with  great  fortitude ;  and,  reducing  her  establish- 
ment from  a  splendid  to  a  very  humble  one,  continued  to 
live  with  all  that  calm  cheerfulness  which  had  marked  her 
in  times  of  affluence.  If  I  had  admired  this  most  charm- 
ing woman  at  Paris,  surrounded  by  admirers,  and  possess- 
ing every  thing  that  wealth  could  bestow — -as  gentle,  un- 
assuming, and  untainted  by  vanity,  how  much  more  admi- 
rable did  I  think  her  when  I  heard  that  she  bore  adversity 
with  nobleness  of  mind,  which  shews  the  possessor  to  be 
independent  of  fortune  and  of  the  world!  I  have  since 
learned,  indeed,  that  this  admirable  woman  is  no  more : 
forming  a  high  opinion  of  her  conduct  at  Clichy,  I  have 
never  ceased  to  think  of  her  without  esteem.  I  mourned 
over  her  misfortunes,  and  felt  that  grief  at  her  death,  which 
is  ever  due  to  the  memory  of  a  lovely,  accomplished,  and 
unaffected  woman. 

I  cannot  help  mentioning  an  interesting  little  piece, 
which  I  saw  at  the  theatre  rue  Feydeu  in  the  evening,  in 
company  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox.     It  was  called,  *'  Nina 


191 

t/u  la  folk  par  amour.'''*  We  were  all  charmed  with  it* 
A  young  girl  in  the  country  falls  in  love  :  her  friends  re- 
fuse their  approbation  of  the  young  man  of  her  choice 
— she  grows  melancholy  and  deranged.  Her  parents, 
alarmed,  use  every  method  to  restore,  but  in  vain.  At 
length,  her  lover  is  brought  to  see  her' — she  does  not  know 
him — he  speaks  to  her — still  she  is  insensible — till  a  look 
recalls  her  wayward  fancy ;  she  trembles,  and  begins,  in  a 
confused  way,  to  recognise  her  beloved  !  Tears  burst  forth, 
and  nature  and  reason  assert  their  rights  !►— The  acting 
was  so  excellent,  that  it  is  impossible  to  do  justice  to  it, 
but  it  may  serve  as  a  powerful  proof  that  the  French  pos- 
sess exquisite  feeling,  and  on  the  stage  are  unrivalled  in  ex- 
citing it,  in  that  familiar  and  tender  manner  which  comes 
home  to  all  hearts. 

The  day  succeeding  the  dejeuner^  at  Clichy,  presented 
us  with  a  new  and  curious,  though  certainly  not  very  in- 
teresting sight.  It  was  a  seance  of  the  tribunate,  a  body  to 
whom  the  task  of  digesting  and  preparing  laws  for  the 
consideration  of  the  legislature  had  been  originally  allotted. 
The  sitting  was  held  in  a  part  of  the  Palais  Royal.  As  we 
waited  in  the  antichamber,  an  officer,  who  had  been  pri- 
soner at  Portsmouth,  recognised  Mr.  Fox,  and,  in  a  very 
handsome  manner,  thanked  him  for  some  former  interfer- 
ence in  the  house  of  commons,  in  behalf  of  himself  and 
his  fellow-prisoners.  His  figure  was  good  and  imposing — 
his  manner  polite  and  grateful — and  as  the  act  was  quite 
spontaneous,  it  had  all  that  effect,  which  the  overflow  of 
the  heart  gives  on  public  occasions.  Mr.  Fox  was  embar- 
rassed by  the  compliments  paid  him,  and  scarcely  replied. 

As  we  were  summoned  to  the  seance  by  the  beating  of 
a  drum,  I  did  not  anticipate  any  thing  very  august.  Nor 
was  I  deceived.  We  entered  a  small  hall,  of  an  ^val  form: 
a  semicircle  of  benches  were  arranged  for  members,  and 
a  gallery  was  raised  for  spectators.  Very  few  persons 
were  present :  the  clerk  or  secretary  read  the  names  of 


192 


persons  presenting  books  to  the  nation — their  nature  and 
contents^r-^some  other  equally  iJiteresting  forms  were  gone 
through,  when  the  meeting  broke  up.  This  was  a  strange 
scene  to  one  accustomed  to  the  English  house  of  commons: 
we  restrained  our  smiles,  and  left  the  place  diverted  with 
this  specimen  of  the  exertions  of  a  French  legislative  body. 
We  afterwards  understood  that  warm  discussions  had  ta- 
ken place,  relating  to  new  laws,  in  the  tribunate,  and  that 
government  in  consequence  had  thought  fit  to  reduce  it  to 
the  phantom  we  saw. 

From  thence  we  proceeded  to  behold  a  different  sight 
indeed — the  Hotel  des  Invalicks.  It  is  a  noble  and  most  in- 
teresting establishment.  The,  officers  and  privates  there 
enjoy  repose,  and  tranquilly  v/ear  out  the  rest  of  their 
days.  The  interior  forms  a  noble  and  even  sublime  sight : 
trophies  and  standards  adorn  the  halls,  and  are  most  ap- 
propriately placed ;  the  tomb  of  Turenne  rests  in  awful 
silence  !  The  remains  of  that  great  general,  and  excellent 
man,  filled  me  with  veneration  and  sorrow ;  he  was  the 
father  of  his  soldiers,  and  the  supporter  of  his  country. 
Such  men  are  honoured  by  all  nations,  and  live  for  the 
benefit  of  society  at  large  ;  they  soften  the  horrors  of  war, 
and  accelerate  the  return  of  peace.  Happy  in  domestic 
life,  their  ambition  does  not  hurry  them  into  perpetual 
broils ;  but  when  called  by  their  country,  their  virtue  is 
bright  in  its  defence.  I  stood  before  the  tomb  !  I  imagin- 
ed I  heard  the  groans  of  his  soldiers — I  thought  I  saw 
their  tears  and  their  rage,  when  his  horse  came  past  with- 
out its  illustrious  rider !  they  had  lost  a  protector  and 
friend,  never  to  be  replaced  ! 

Our  labours  at  the  archives  were  now  drawing  to  a 
close  ;  and  as  I  rejoiced  at  the  accomplishment  of  Mr, 
Fox's  purpose,  so  I  was  glad  to  have  more  time  to  ob- 
serve the  new  and  striking  scenes  around  me.  I  frequent- 
ed the  theatres  as  much  as  possible,  going  often  alone  to 
see  the  best  pieces;   and  this  I  recommend  strongly  to 


193 

every  stranger  wishing  to  become  master  of  the  French 
language  and  its  pronunciation;  and  that  not  as  mere 
amusement,  but  as  a  study  of  their  first  dramatic  authors* 
I  now  saw,  with  infinite  pleasure,  the  Zaire  of  Voltaire 
represented.  M.  and  Madame  Talma,  and  La  Fonds  pleas- 
ed me  highly.  With  the  Italian  opera  I  was  quite  enchan- 
ted ;  the  music  and  singing  were  excellent ;  the  house  a 
proper  size,  and  the  acting  good.  The  TartufFe,  of  the  in- 
imitable Moliere,  I  saw  at  the  theatre  Francois  with  great 
delight ;  though  I  thought  it  did  not  answer  the  expecta- 
tions on  the  stage,  which  the  perusal  of  that  excellent 
comedy  had  raised.  It  would,  however,  fatigue  my  readers 
if  I  were  to  enumerate  every  thing  we  now  saw,  the 
Monumens  Francois,  disposed  in  a  manner  the  happiest 
that  can  be  conceived,  the  Jardin  de  Plantes,  Pantheon, 
Palais  de  Justice,  &c.  &c. 


21^ 


CHAPTER  XIV 


THE  new  year,  according  to  the  republican  style, 
wias  now  (the  18th  September)  commencing;  five  com- 
plimentary days  preceded  the  1st  of  Vindemaire.  The 
French  government,  always  attentive  to  the  amusements 
of  the  people,  had  ordered  fetes,  illuminations,  and  the 
exhibition  of  the  produce  of  national  industry,  to  take 
place  on  this  occasion.  Paris,  in  consequence,  was  gay 
beyond  measure.  The  fete,  which  was  held  in  the  Champs 
Elysees,  although  attended  by  so  many  thousand  people, 
exhibited  no  disorder  or  impropriety ;  no  intoxication  was 
to  be  observed,  every  one  enjoyed  the  various  sports ;  the 
day  was  excessively  fine,  and  there  could  not  be  a  more 
pleasing  sight.  In  the  evening  illuminations  at  the  Thuil- 
leries  succeeded,  which  had  a  delightful  effect ;  the  gar- 
dens were  open,  and  every  person  permitted  to  walk  about 
as  they  pleased.  At  this  time,  splendid  parties  at  the  mar- 
quis de  Gallo's,  and  M.  Lucchesine's  took  place,  and  the 
round  of  amusements  and  pleasures,  which  followed  one 
another,  scarcely  left  time  to  dress,  and  not  much  to  think. 
This  lasted  but  a  very  few  days,  and  closed  with  the  ex- 
hibition at  the  Louvre.  A  square  had  been  fitted  up  with 
temporary  shops,  an  esplanade  and  pillars ;  within  these 
shops  were  deposited  every  thing  rare  and  excellent,  the 
produce  of  the  national  industry. 


19S 

Previous  to  the  indiscriminate  admission  of  the  people, 
a  few  were  permitted  to  see  this  admirable  display  of  na- 
tional wealth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox,  general  Fitzpatrick, 
lord  St.  John,  and  myself,  went  the  first  day.  The  first 
consul,  attended  by  his  guards,  came  in  a  plain  coach.  I 
had  an  opportunity  of  judging  better  of  him  here  than  at 
the  levee.  He  walked  in  public  with  an  inflexible  and 
commanding  gravity :  the  smallness  of  his  figure  lost  its 
disadvantages  in  the  awful  severity  of  his  countenance ;  his 
step  was  measured  and  calm,  and  his  eyes  did  not  wander 
but  were  fixed,  or  looked  straight  forward.  As  the  first 
magistrate  of  the  state,  and  its  military  chieftain  also,  he 
carried  himself  with  great  propriety  and  decorum  in  pub- 
lic, and  there  was  nothing  ferocious  or  rough  in  his  de- 
meanour. He  spoke  some  time  to  Mr.  Fox,  who  was  In 
one  of  the  shops,  but  as  1  was  not  with  him,  I  cannot  re-r 
late  the  conversation. 

This  exhibition  of  the  produce  of  national  industry  was 
very  interesting ;  the  finest  silks,  the  most  beautiful  tapes- 
try, porcelaine,  lace,  cambrics,  furniture  of  every  kind, 
and  of  new  inventions,  works  in  steel,  glass,  marble, 
every  thing  which  an  ingenious  and  flourishing  people 
could  send  to  Paris,  from  every  quarter,  were  here  ex- 
hibited. It  was  a  most  pleasing  and  instructive  sight,  and 
an  example  worthy  of  the  imitation  of  all  nations. 

As  our  time  for  going  to  M.  la  Fayette's  approached,  I 
anticipated  with  delight  the  pleasures  of  the  country,  and 
the  society  of  the  family  at  La  Grange.  Mr.  Fox  looked 
forward  to  it  with  great  satisfaction ;  his  friendship  for  its 
possessor,  and  natural  inclina'tion  for  the  country,  attract- 
ing him  strongly  there. 

A  residence  of  a  considerable  time  in  Paris  with  him, 
had  confirmed,  and  increased  my  sentiments  of  admiration 
and  esteem  for  this  truly  great  man.  His  moderatiori 
and  simplicity  were  perfectly  unchanged  in  this  great  vor- 


196 

tCK  of  vanity,  pomp,  and  pleasure :  receiving  daily  the 
most  flattering  (and,  to  any  other  man,  intoxicating)  marks 
of  general  esteem  and  applause,  from  French,  English, 
and  other  persons,  of  almost  every  other  nation ;  he  was 
uniformly  the  same  :  no  variation  appeared,  and  not  a 
shadow  of  vanity  passed  over  his  character.  At  times 
walking  alone  with  him,  in  an  evening,  in  the  garden  of 
the  Hotel  de  Richelieu,  I  have  been  instructed  and  always 
interested  by  his  conversation.  The  French  government 
did  not  inspire  him  with  any  respect  for  its  constitution, 
but  he  took  a  philosophic  and  statesmanlike  view  of  it, 
At  these  times  his  manner  was  peculiarly  serene  ;  his  con- 
versation candid  and  undisguised — saying  little— listening 
a  great  deal,  and  then  interposing  a  simple  yet  powerful 
remark,  founded  on  history  and  the  nature  of  man.  He 
listened  with  complacency  to  every  statement  of  facts,  and 
though  he  drew  different  conclusions  from  them,  was  far 
from  being  displeased  at  opinions  more  unfavourable  to 
the  French  government  than  his  own.  These  were  pre- 
cious moments.  Mr.  Fox  instructed  often  by  a  look,  and 
the  smile  which  said  so  expressively,  yet  good-naturedly 
"  surely  you  are  going  too  far  ;"  was  not  to  be  forgotten. 

This  method  of  instructing  or  improving  a  youthful  and 
indxperienced  mind,  was  a  very  singular  one.  He  allowed 
his  companion  to  talk,  to  ask  questions,  and  to  express 
opinions  quite  dissimilar  to  his  own  ;  but  by  withholding 
his  approbation,  by  the  smile  of  doubt,  and  a  gentle  dis- 
sent on  one  or  two  points,  he  brought  him  to  re-consider 
the  question  (allowing  him  his  full  merit  for  original  and 
sound  remark,)  and  by  dispassionate  investigation,  to  cor- 
rect the  errors  incident  to  hasty  or  ill-grounded  opinions. 
Truth  was  his  sole  object,  aad  he  never  disdained  the  hum- 
blest attempts  to  elucidate  it  in  others,  if  he  was  clearly 
satisfied  with  their  sincerity. 

It  cost  him  no  pain  to  surrender  his  own  opinion  upon 
conviction-— he  readily  did  so,  but  there  were  two  vices  iji 


197 

society  singled  out,  and  deservedly  lashed,  by  the  excellent 
author  of  Joseph  Andrews,  which  Mr.  Fox  mortally  hated 
— Hypocrisy  and  Affectation  ;  these  were  quite  in- 
tolerable in  private  and  intimate  society  to  him,  and  he 
never  assumed  any  appearance  of  esteem  where  he  did  not 
feel  it.  He  kept  a  plain  and  moderate  table  at  Paris, 
where  his  earliest  friends  were  often  found.  One  of  them, 
Mr.  Hare,  then  at  Paris,  was  too  ill  to  dine  out,  and  Mr, 
Fox  visited  him  often.  Mr.  Hare,  once  the  brilliant  me^ 
teor  in  society,  whose  wit,  and  powers  of  pleasing,  were 
amazingly  great — the  friend  of  Fox,  and  the  men  of  genius 
of  the  day,  I  saw  then  declining  in  his  sphere — the  lan- 
guid countenance  and  feeble  frame  betokened  approaching 
dissolution — his  eyes  yet  beamed  with  tremulous  fire,  his 
mind  was  clear  and  undisturbed.  He  testified  much  affec- 
tion for  Mr.  Fox,  and  seemed  to  revive  at  his  pre- 
sence. His  decease  was  not  far  distant !  How  little  was 
I  aware  that  his  illustrious  friend  would  follow  so  soon  ! 

Mr.  Fox  seldom  entertained  at  his  table  more  than  six 
or  eight.  The  conversation  was  always  cheerful  and 
pleasant.  I  recollect  M.  de  Narbonne,  an  ex-minister, 
dining  with  him.  A  man  of  more  vivacity  than  talent, 
an  eloquent  talker,  a  great  admirer  of  Hume,  the  English 
historian,  and  consequently  no  enemy  to  royalty.  At  one 
of  those  pleasant  small  dinner  parties,  I  have  seen  Mr. 
West  and  Mr.  Opie,  and  heard  Mr.  Fox  discuss  the  me- 
rits of  almost  all  the  grand  painters  with  great  acumen, 
taste,  and  discrimination.  Such  parties  were  greatly  pre- 
ferable to  the  dinners  at  the  minister  for  foreign  affairs. 
What  a  contrast  too  !  At  the  one  the  smooth  intercourse 
and  studied  dissimulation  of  the  world,  at  the  other,  sin- 
cerity, politeness,  and  wit  ! 

Previous  to  our  leaving  Paris  for  La  Grange,  Madame 
Cabarrus,  ci-devant  Tallien,  gave  an  elegant  and  sump- 
tuous dinner  to  Mr.  Fox  and  other  distinguished  foreigners. 
Every  thing  which  taste,  genius,    or  art.    could  contrive, 


198 


conspired  to  make  this  the  most  perfect  sort  of  entertain- 
ment I  had  witnessed.  Madame  Cabarrus  was  a  most 
lovely  woman,  something  upon  a  large  scale,  and  of  the 
most  fascinating  manners.  She  was  rather  in  disgrace  at 
court,  where  decorum  and  morals  were  beginning  to  be 
^severely  attended  to  :  Madame  was  supposed,  when  sepa- 
rated from  her  husband,  to  have  been  indiscreet,  and  did 
not  appear  there. 

Most  of  Mr.  Fox's  friends  were  at  this  dinner  ;  but 
the  surprize,  and,  indeed,  displeasure  of  some  English 
characters  of  political  consequence,  was  great  at  finding  Mr. 
Arthur  O'Connor  was  one  of  the  guests.  This  had  been 
done  inadvertently  by  Madame  Cabarrus,  and  was  certainly 
not  considered.  Mr.  now  lord  Erskine,  was  extremely 
uneasy,  lest  evil  report  should  misrepresent  this  matter  in 
England  ;  but  Mr.  Fox,  ever  magnanimous,  treated  it  as 
an  unavoidable,  though  unlucky  circumstance.  He  spoke 
to  Mr.  O'Connor  as  usual,  and  lost  none  of  the  enjoyment 
of  the  evening  from  an  event,  which,  being  trivial,  must 
be  forgotten  when  malignity  was  Jatigued  with  recounting 
it,  I  do  not  recollect  upon  the  whole  that  Mr  Fox  saw 
this  gentleman  more  than  twice  during  his  stay  in  Paris. 
It  was  indeed,  understood  that  the  French  government  did 
not  look  with  a  favourable  eye  upon  the  Irish  exiles,  and 
they  certainly  received  no  public  countenance  whatever. 

Madame  Cabarrus  had  a  charming  house,  at  the  extre- 
mity of  the  city  ;  the  gardens  were  pretty,  and  taste  reign- 
ed every  where.  This  fascinating  woman  exerted  herself 
for  the  accommodation  of  her  guests  with  infinite  kindness 
and  elegance  :  she  was  scarcely  satisfied  to  allow  her  ser- 
vants to  do  any  little  office  in  the  course  of  a  delightful 
evening,  but  often  anticipated  the  wishes  and  wants  of  her 
guests,  herself.  French  horns  played  during  dinner,  and 
in  the  evening,  with  a  very  happy  effect,  being  well  placed 
and  admirably  played.  A  ventriloquist  of  extraordinary 
powers  entertained  us  extremely.      His  imitation  of  a  re- 


199 


yolutionary  committee  in  the  corner  of  the  room,  was  ad- 
mirable, as  well  as  several  other  proofs  he  gave  of  this  as- 
tonishing talent.  M.  Tallien  was  himself  at  this  time  in 
Paris,  but  all  intercourse  between  him  and  his  wife  had 
ceased.  Lord  St.  John,  who  afterwards  met  him  in  a 
private  company,  told  me,  that  he  gave  a  very  interesting 
account  of  the  apprehension  of  Robespierre.  It  will  be 
recollected  that  Tallien  was  one  of  the  principal  persons 
concerned  in  the  seizure  of  the  Robespierres,  and  in  over- 
throwing that  execrable  tyranny. 

On  the  1st  Vlndemaire  (September  23d)  another  levee 
was  held,  at  which  Mr.  Fox  was  present.  The  first 
consul  was  not  more  penetrating  on  this  occasion  than  on 
the  former,  respecting  lord  Erskine.  The  ceremony  was 
similar  to  that  of  the  former  levee.  It  was  usual  to  invite 
those  presented  at  a  former  one,  to  dinner  on  the  subse- 
quent one.  Mr.  Fox  on  this  occasion,  therefore,  dined 
with  the  first  consul.  I  recollect  well  his  return  in  the 
evening  to  the  hotel  de  Richelieu  :  he  said  Bonaparte  talk- 
ed a  great  deal,  and  I  inferred  at  the  time,  that  he  who  en- 
grossed the  conversation  in  company  with  Mr.  Fox,  de- 
barred himself  of  much  instruction,  and  did  not  feel  his 
value  sufficiently.  Mr.  Fox,  however,  was  pleased,  or  I 
may  say  amused.  After  dinner,  which  was  a  short  one, 
the  first  consul  retired,  with  a  select  number,  to  Madame 
Bonaparte's  apartments  in  the  Thuilleries,  where  the  rest 
of  the  evening  was  spent.  Mr.  Fox  appeared  to  consider 
Bonaparte  as  a  young  man  who  was  a  good  deal  intoxicated 
with  his  success  and  surprising  elevation,  and  did  not 
doubt  of  his  sincerity  as  to  the  maintenance  of  peace.  He 
manifested  some  irritation  against  a  part  of  Mr.  Pitt's 
ministry,  as  having  instigated  and  been  privy  to  plots 
against  his  life,  particularly  that  of  the  infernal  machine, 
and    actually  named  one  individual  whom  he   reproached 

with  having  aided  it the  late  Mr.  Windham  ! — Mr. 

Fox  did  every  thing  to  discharge  the  mind  of  the  first  con- 
sul from  such  an  idea,  as  far  as  his  own  positive  contradic- 


200 

tion,  and  as  his  belief  strongly  expressed,  could  go.  Bona- 
parte spoke  a  good  deal  of  the  possibility  of  doing  away 
all  difference  between  the  inhabitants  of  the  two  worlds — 
of  blending  the  black  and  the  white,  and  having  universal 
peace  !  Mr.  Fox  related  a  considerable  part  of  the  even- 
ing's conversations,  with  which  he  was  certainly  much  di- 
verted, but  he  had  imbibed  no  improved  impressions  of 
the  first  consul's  genius  from  what  passed. 

For  my  part,  I  was  quite  satisfied  with  levees,  and 
great  dinners,  and  parties,  and  now  looked  with  un- 
feigned delight  to  our  departure  for  La  Grange. 


CHAPTER  XV 


ON  the  mortiing  of  the  24th  of  September  we  left 
Paris  for  the  country.  There  was  nothing  striking  in 
that  part  through  which  we  passed,  formerly  called  the 
isle  of  France.  As  we  approached  La  Grange,  it  became 
evidently  a  corn  district.  The  towers  and  wood  of  the 
chateau  appeared  in  peaceful  repose  as  we  drove  near,  and 
when  we  gained  a  full  view  of  the  building,  I  felt  great 
emotion.  It  was  the  residence  of  a  great  and  good  man 
— a  patriot  and  friend  to  mankind,  whose  life  had  beea 
consecrated  to  virtue  and  liberty.  Such  truly  was  M.  de 
la  Fayette.  The  chateau  was  of  a  very  singular  construc- 
tion, quadrangular,  and  ornamented  by  Moorish  towers  at 
t-^ch  angle,  which  had  no  unpleasing  effect.  A  ruined 
chapel  was  near  the  mansion :  the  fosse  was  filled  up 
through  neglect  and  a  long  lapse  of  time.  We  drove  in- 
to the  court-yard.  The  family  came  to  the  hall  to  meet 
us.  That  good  and  amiable  family,  happy  in  themselves, 
and  rejoicing  to  see  the  illustrious  friend  of  La  Fayette ! 
Can  I  forget  that  moment  ?  No  silly  affectation — no  airs 
of  idle  ceremony,  were  seen  at  the  residence  of  him  who 
j^loriously  and  successfully  had  struggled  for  America, 
and  had  done  all  he  could  for  France  ! 

2  c 


20'2 

IM.  de  la  Fayette  and  Madame  received  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fox  with  the  heartiest  welcome.  The  family  consisted  of 
two  daughters,  a  son  and  his  wife — all  young  and  elegant 
—all  living  with  M.  de  la  Fayette,  as  their  brother  and 
friend.  As  his  figure  was  youthful  and  graceful,  (his  age 
at  this  time  being  about  forty-nine  or  fifty,)  he  appeared 
quite  a  young  man.  His  benevolent  countenance — the 
frank  and  warm  manners,  which  made  him  quite  adored 
in  his  family — and  a  placid  contentedness,  amounting  to 
cheerfulness,  altogether  had  an  irresistible  effect  in  gaining 
the  affections  and  esteem  of  those  admitted  to  his  more 
intimate  society. 

Madame  de  la  Fayette,  of  the  ancient  family  of  Noailles, 
was  a  superior  and  admirable  woman,  possessing  the  high 
polish  of  the  ancient  nobility,  eloquent  and  animated. — 
Fondly  attached  to  M.  de  la  Fayette  and  her  family,  she 
regretted  nothing  of  past  splendor,  she  possessed  a  che- 
rished husband  and  was  happy  in  retirement.  M.  de  la 
Fayette's  son  was  a  pleasing  young  man ;  his  wife  very 
engaging  and  interesting;  his  daughters  were  charming 
young  women,quite  free  from  the  insipid  languor,  or  wretch- 
ed affectation,  which,  in  young  women  of  fashion,  so  much 
destroys  originality  of  character,  and  makes  one  find  in 
one  fashionable  young  lady,  the  prototype  and  pattern  of 
ten  thousand.  In  a  word,  this  amiable  and  most  interest- 
ing family  seemed  united  by  one  bond  of  affection,  and  to 
desire  nothing  beyond  the  circle  of  their  tranquil  man- 
sion. 

It  13  necessary  to  recur  to  some  past  events  in  M.  de  la 
Fayette's  life,  to  do  full  justice  to  such  a  family.  It  is 
%vell  known  that  M.  de  la  Fayette  had  been  arrested  on 
leaving  France,  and  thrown  into  the  dungeons  of  Olmutz. 
He  had  continued  imprisoned  a  considerable  time,  when 
Madame  de  la  Fayette,  unable  to  bear  her  separation  from 
him,  determined  to  make  an  effort  for  his  liberty,  or  to 
^bare  his  fate,  and  set  out  for  Germany  with  her  young 


205 

aiid  lovely  children.  At  the  feet  of  the  emperor  she  im» 
plored  his  majesty  to  release  her  husband,  or  to  allow  her 
to  participate  in  his  confinement.  Her  first  request  was 
coldly  refused ;  she  was,  however,  permitted  to  visit  her 
husband.  From  that  time,  for  several  years,  she  never 
left  him,  herself  and  daughters  sharing  with  him  every  in- 
convenience and  misery !  The  damps  of  his  prison  hurt 
the  healthof  Madame,  and  she  had  never  entirely  recover- 
ed from  their  baneful  effects  :  Bonaparte,  to  his  honour  it 
must  he  recorded,  interposed  as  soon  as  he  had  power 
effectually  to  do  so,  and  insisted  on  the  liberation  of  M. 
de  la  Fayette.  Accordingly,  at  the  period  of  which  I 
write,  (1802)  he  had  not  long  arrived  in  France,  having 
come  by  way  of  Holland,  with  his  virtuous  and  excellent 
family,  the  partners  of  his  captivity,  and  soothers  of  hia 
sorrows. 

The  chateau  and  estate  of  La  Grange,  which  Madame, 
•who  was  an  heiress,  had  brought  him,  was  all  that  remain- 
ed of  his  fortunes  :  he  had  lost  every  thing  besides,  in  the 
madness  of  revolutionary  confiscation,  and  had  not  yet 
been  able  to  procure  restitution  or  compensation.  To  add 
to  the  interest  of  the  sc^ne,  general  Fitzpatrick,  who  had 
known  M.  de  la  Fayette  in  America,  and  had  vainly  at- 
tempted in  the  English  house  of  commons  to  rouse  the 
Pitt  ministry  to  a  sense  of  humanity  and  commiseration 
for  M.  de  la  Fayette,  joined  the  party  at  La  Grange. 
That  accomplished  man  was  an  addition  to  it  of  the  most 
pleasing  nature,  and  he  was  received  most  affectionately  by 
the  family.  I  have  often  contemplated  with  pleasure, 
general  Fitzpatrick  and  M.  de  la  Fayette  walking  in  a 
long  shady  grove  near  the  chateau,  speaking  of  past  times, 
the  war  in  America,  and  the  revolution  in  France.  The 
rare  sight  of  three  such  men,  as  Fox,  Fayette,  and  Fitz- 
patrick, was  grateful  to  any  one  who  felt  rightly,  and  va- 
lued men  for  their  services  to  humanity,  rather  than  for 
successful  ambition.  Lally  ToUendal,  also,  whose  father 
had,  under  the  old   regime,  suffered  so  severe  a  fate,  was 


204 


at  La  Grange,  an  open,  honest,  and  agreeable  man — telling 
a  great  number  of  anecdotes,  relating  to  the  revolution, 
with  point  and  energy,  and  resembling  the  Irish  in  his 
good-humoured  and  unstudied  manners ;  anxious  to  con- 
tribute to  the  pleasure  of  M.  de  la  Fayette's  guests,  and 
pointing  out  every  thing  agreeable  to  English  customs  and 
habits.  In  the  evenings,  he  read  extracts  from  Shake- 
speare, translated  by  himself  into  French,  with  an  almost 
stentorian  voice,  and  much  effect.  A  few  of  M.  de  la 
Fayette's  country  neighbours  were  also  occasionally  invi- 
ted; his  table  was  plentiful,  and  our  evenings  diversified 
by  conversation,  chess,  or  some  other  game,  as  was  most 
agreeable,  Madame  was  extremely  pleasing  in  conversa- 
tion, and  narrated  her  adventures,  and  sufferings  in  Ger- 
many, with  great  vivacity  and  ease. 

The  chateau  itself  was  ancient,  and  simply  furnished  : 
the  library,  at  the  top  of  one  of  the  towers,  a  circular 
room,  with  a  commanding  view  from  its  windows,  was 
adorned  with  the  busts  of  Washington,  Franklin,  and  other 
distinguished  American  patriots,  as  well  as  by  those  of 
Frenchmen  of  genius  in  modern  times.  The  wood,  which 
adjoined  the  chateau,  was  a  beautiful  one,  divided  in  the 
old  style,  by  long  green  alleys,  intersecting  one  another, 
admirably  adapted  for  a  studious  walk,  or  for  reading  re- 
mote from  noise.  Here  was  a  place  to  enjoy  the  sublime 
and  eloquent  writings  of  Rousseau;  and  here  I  was  hap- 
py to  lose  all  thought  of  Paris  and  the  world,  filled  with 
the  grateful  sensation,  that  I  was  the  guest  of  a  man  so 
excellent  as  La  Fayette.  I  often,  too,  had  the  satisfaction 
of  conversing  with  him,  as  he  was  so  unaffected  and  mild, 
that  I  had  no  difficulty  in  addressing  him  :  he  talked  of 
Ireland,  and  sir  Edward  Haversham,  and  inquired  very 
much  concerning  the  ancient  wolf  dog,  one  of  which 
race  (extinct  I  believe  in  France)  he  desired  much  to  pro- 
cure. All  his  sentiments  were  noble,  and  his  mipd  was 
animated  with  a  true  feeling  for  liberty.  He  spoke  a  good 
deal  of  America,  and  told  me,  that  so  great  was  the  jea- 


205 

iousy  of  the  Att^ncans  against  foreign  troops,  that  he  waft 
obliged  to  consent  to  reduce  the  number  stipulated  for, 
though  he  afterwards  negotiated  for  more  at  home,  t© 
make  the  aid  effectual !  Worthy  and  respectable  man  !  If 
I  have  seen  you  for  the  last  time,  my  wishes  for  your  re- 
pose, and  my  gratitude  shall  ever  be  alive.  I  shall  ever 
dwell  ^on  your  name  with  reverence  and  affection :  and 
those  delightful  days  I  spent  at  La  Grange,  shall  remain 
consecrated  in  my  memory,  as  among  the  most  fortunatq; 
and  pleasing  of  my  life. 

The  political  career  of  M.  de  la  Fayette  had  not,  it  is 
true,  the  same  happy  result  in  France  as  in  America  ;  but 
it  is  to  be  considered,  that  his  situation  in  the  former  was 
arduous  beyond  measure.  A  friend  to  a  limited  monar- 
chy, and  to  the  legitimate  rights  of  the  people,  at  a  time 
when  the  support  of  one  was  deemed  hostility  to  the  other, 
he  found  it  impossible,  consistent  with  his  principles,  to 
fall  into  the  mania  of  the  nation.  A  king  of  integrity  and 
firmness,  with  La  Fayette  as  his  counsellor,  might  have 
been  safe,  even  in  the  tumultuous  times  preceding  the  sei- 
zure of  the  commonwealth,  by  sanguinary  demagogues; 
but  Louis,  it  is  to  be  feared,vvanted  both  these  qualities, 
certainly  the  latter  !  La  Fayette  failed,  therefore,  in  his  pa- 
triotic views,  not  as  the  first  consul  is  said  to  have  insinuat- 
ed, because  he  attempted  what  was  impracticable  ;  but  be- 
cause those  whose  interest  it  was  to  second  his  views,  and 
whose  happiness  would  have  been  insured  by  them,  did 
not  support  him.  A  ruined  thone,  and  desolate  country, 
subsequently  attested  the  purity  of  his  principles,  and  the 
soundness  of  his  judgment. 

jNL  de  la  Fayette  had  begun  to  devote  himself  much 
to  agricultural  pursuits,  (the  happiest  occupation  of  man  !) 
and  had  entirely  withdrawn  himself  from  political  affairs. 
His  house  and  family  were  excellently  well  regulated  ; 
each  had  their  own  employment ;  till  dinner,  every  guest 
was  left  quite  free  to  follow  his  studies — to  walk  and  ex- 


206 

plore  the  country — ^to  wvite— to  act  as  he  pleased— dinner 
reassembled  every  one ;  and  the  hours  flew  swiftly  past. 
Mr.  Fox  was  very  happy  at  La  Grange  ;  every  thing  suit- 
ed his  taste  there,  and  he  had,  besides,  the  gratification  of 
seeing  his  friend,  after  a  life  of  dangers,  and  years  of  cap- 
tivity, sheltered,  at  length,  on  the  moderate  estate  of  La 
Grange— having  all  his  family  around  him,  and  conscien- 
tiously satisfied  that  he  had  done  every  thing  for  his  coun- 
try that  his  powers  and  opportunities  had  allowed. 

His  garden,  which  was  large,  but  had  been  neglected, 
also  occupied  a  good  deal  of  the  attention  of  M.  de  la 
Fayette.  He  was  in  the  mornings  engaged  in  his  farms, 
and  enjoyed  with  much  relish,  the  avocations  of  agricul- 
ture !  We  remained  a  week  at  La  Grange.  I  left  it  with 
great  regret.  The  same  kind  and  hospitable  family  bade 
U9  adieu;  they  lingered  on  the  stair-case.  We  took 
leave  of  Madame.  It  was  for  the  last  time  !  That  amiable 
woman,  never  having  recovered  her  health,  is  since  dead ; 
and  the  lovely  chateau  of  La  Grange  stands  deprived  of 
its  hospitable  mistress.  M.  de  la  Fayette,  in  the  year 
1 803,  sustained  a  dreadful  fracture  of  his  thigh  bone,  but 
recovered,  and  continues  to  reside  in  his  retirement  at  La 
Grange. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


ON  our  return  to  Paris,  we  found  rumours  afloat  of 
an  unpleasant  nature  :  Lord  Whitworth  had  not  arrived, 
but  it  was  said  that  the  first  Consul  was  dissatisfied,  and 
that  a  new  rupture  was  likely  to  take  place.  This  was 
whispered,  but  not  credited.  I  heard,  indeed,  that  the 
gross  language  of  the  English  papers  had  afforded  Bona- 
parte matter  for  irritation  and  complaint,  and  that  every 
passage,  relating  to  his  government,  was  translated  by 
his  orders,  and  laid  before  him,  but  I  did  not  consider 
such  reports  well  founded,  though  I  have  since  had  reason 
to  think  they  were.  As  yet,  however,  there  was  but  a 
whisper,  and  whatever  causes  combined  to  renew  hostili- 
ties between  the  two  nations,  it  is  heavily  to  be  deplored, 
that  their  true  interests  were  not  better  understood,  and 
such  an  event  prevented. 

In  the  close  of  the  summer  of  1803,  the  French  gov- 
ernment seemed  much  inclined  to  be  on  good  terms  with 
England,  and  the  people  of  France  were  certainly  anxious 
that  a  good  understanding,  and  harmony,  should  be  xG' 
stored  between,  the  nations.  There  was,  on  our  first  arri- 
val, a  marked  disposition  on  all  sides  to  prefer  and  to  dis- 
tinguish the  English  as  a  superior  race  of  men.     In  p\^B.- 


^08 

lie  the  English  were  admired  and  respected :  the  odious 
acts  of  Mr.  Pitt's  ministry  were  forgotten,  and  an  amnesty- 
in  opinion  appeared  to  be  the  predominant  sentiment. 

The  day  succeeding  our  arrival  from  La   Grange,  we 
dined  at  Berthier's,  the  minister    of  war   (now  prince  of 
Neufchatel.)     The  entertainment  was  splendid  and  strik- 
ing.     Military  trophies  decorated  the  great  stair-case,  and 
the  dining  room  was  ornamented  by  busts  of  Dessaix,  Hoche 
and  two  other  generals,  deceased.      A  number  of  military 
characters  were   present.      Berthier,  agreeable,  active, 
and  penetrating,  seemed  equally  fit  for  war  or  the  cabinet, 
JMassena,  about  forty-five  or  six  years  of  age,  with  keen 
and  piercing  small  black  eyes,  strong  make,  a  determined 
air,  and  lively  motion,  looked  ready  to   seize    his  prey  at 
all  times,  and  not  likely  to  relinquish  it  easily.      Bougain- 
ville, the  venerable  circumnavigator  of  the  globe,  was  at 
this  dinner,  and  on  seeing  him,  I  rubbed  my  eyes  and  sus- 
pected we  had  gone   back  a  century — his  aspect  was  ve- 
nerable and  intelligent— VoLNEY  the  celebrated  author  of 
the  ruins  of  empires,  was  also  present — His  countenance 
was    quite  intellectual — his  person  thin   and  tall — and  his 
air  altogether,  and  appearance,  more  interesting  than  that 
of  any  person  among  the   French   at   Berthier's   dinner. 
The  form  of  invitation,  a  just  remark,  was  quite  agreea- 
ble to  the  republican  style  in  date,  designation  of  the  year, 
and  in  title,  **  Republican  Francaise,"  affixed   to  it.     An 
A  ustrian  officer,  in  full     regimentals,  in  the  midst  of  the 
French  officers  at  general  Berthier's,  was    a  striking  and 
pleasant  sight.      After  long   and  bloody    wars,  to   behold 
brave  men  of  nations,  lately  hostile,  meeting  in  social  con- 
verse, and  forgetting  all  animosity,  was   one   very  agreea? 
ble  fruit  of  peace. 

As  the  season  now  advanced,  Mr.  Fox  began  to  think 
ef  returning  to  England.  Very  little  remained  to  be  ext 
plored  at  the  archives.  The  elucidation  of  the  material 
points  was  completed,  and  we  were    now  to  take  leave  of 


209 

Louis  the  XlVth  and  Barillon.  Mr.  Fox  turned  his. 
thoughts  towards  home,  as  the  place  were  his  history 
could  best  proceed,  and  he  had  obtained  a  great  deal  of 
valuable  materials,  to  bring  there  with  him.  How 
much  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  his  designs  were  interrupt- 
ed, and  that  a  fragment  of  that  history  only  remains. 
From  a  recent  examination  of  it,  I  cannot  help  again  re- 
gretting that  it  appeared  so  soon,  and  prefaced  in  a  manner 
calculated  to  raise  expectation,  already  too  much  on  the 
stretch. 

In  a  conversation  I  had  with  the  noble  editor,  he  was 
of  opinion  in  which  I  entirely  concurred,  that  a  few  lines, 
stating  the  facts,  and  leaving  the  fragment  for  public  con- 
sideration, was  all  that  was  required,  as  in  the  way  of  pre- 
face. That  lord  Holland  subsequently  changed  this  opi- 
nion, I  shall  ever  regret.  It  was  the  spontaneous  and  jur 
dicious  idea  of  his  own  mind,  and  were  it  possible  to  hand 
the  work  down  to  posterity,  according  to  that  conception, 
it  ought  yet  to  be  done.  I  have  doubts  whether  Barillon's 
papers  received  a  second  reading  and  reconsideration 
by  Mr.  Fox,  on  returning  to  England,  and  I  am  strongly 
induced  to  think  that  his  work  would  not  have  passed 
out  of  his  hands  before  the  public  without  it.  Under  these 
circumstances,  any  references  of  the  editor  were  very  dan- 
gerous. For  instance,  that  to  the  letter  of  Louis  the  XI  Vth, 
of  the  24th  of  April,  is  not  a  corroboration  of  the  history. 
J  believe  also,  Mr.  Fox,  on  further  examination  of  those 
papers,  would  have  modified  the  opinion  expressed  in  the 
page  to  which  that  reference  is  affixed,  and  in  page  107. 
The  letter  is  a  sort  of  conditional  bond  of  Louis,  or  an 
explanation  of  the  terms  on  which  a  sum  of  money  was  to 
be  paid ;  viz.  if  parliament  were  refractory,  and  required 
bribing,  and  if  the  king  demanded  the  money  from  Banllon. 
The  passage  in  the  history  stands  thus — "  Louis,  secure 
in  the  knowledge  that  his  views  of  absolute  power  must 
continue  him  (James)  in  dependence  upon  France,  seems 
to  have  refused  further  supplies,   and  even,  in  some  mea- 

2    D 


210 


Bure,  to  have  withdrawn  those  which  had  been  stipulated, 
as  a  mark  of  his  displeasure  with  his  dependent  for  assum- 
ing a  higher  tone  than  he  thought  becoming." 

Now  the  particular  letter  of  April  the  24th  does  not 
shew  Louis  *'  secure ;"  the  beginning  of  it  alludes  to  a 
threat  of  James,  that  he  must  concede  to  his  parliament, 
if  he  does  not  get  the  money  down ;  Louis  then,  in  a  con- 
ditional manner  mentioned,  agrees  that  four  hundred  thou- 
sand livres  should  be  paid  to  the  king's  ministers  and  even 
sixteen  hundred  thousand  remaining,  are  to  be  used  in  the 
same  manner,  if  the  parliament  behave  so  ill  as  to  require 
dissolution,  or  that  the  free  exercise  of  the  catholic  re- 
ligion be  so  much  prevented,  that  arms  against  his  sub- 
jects must  be  used  by  James  :  he  says  that  he  must  see 
an  absolute  necessity,  in  the  refractoriness  of  parliament, 
before  he  gives  great  sums,  but  repeats  that  he  allows  the 
four  hundred  thousand  livres  to  be  paid  :  adding  a  threat 
of  his  displeasure  if  James  presses  too  much.  This  was 
not  refusing  "  further  supplies,"  nor  ■withdraxving  them, 
but  it  was  withholding  a  part,  and  granting  a  part,  which, 
was  quite  conformable  to  Louis's  whole  conduct,  as  to 
James,  and  denotes  the  reverse  of  being  "  secure."  The 
simple  state  of  the  case  appearing,  that  James  threatened 
Louis  with  the  parliament,  and  that  Louis  threatened 
James  with  not  giving  him  money,  that  neither  were  se- 
cure of  one  another,  and  that  this  drama  lasted  till  James 
deservedly  lost  his  crown,  and  Louis  his  corrupt  influence 
in  England.  My  reasons,  exclusive  of  this  particular, 
and  unfortunately-quoted  letter,  that  Mr.  Fox  would  have 
altered  the  opinion  as  to  Louis's  being  *'  secure"  as  to 
James,  are  drawn  from  the  letters  of  the  French  king,  sub- 
sequent to  that  of  the  24th  of  April,  in  almost  all  of  which 
he  testifies  anxiety  about  James's  forming  alliances,  and 
an  apprehension  that  he  might  be  induced  to  join  a 
league  for  troubling  the  repose  of  Europe,  as  Louis  pre- 
sumptuously styled  the  thraldom  in  which  he  desired  to 
J^eep  it,      With  all  his  ostentatious  arrogance  to  his  owr^ 


211 

ambassador— his   flourish   (which  was  but  a  guess)  to  the 
duke  of  Villeroy,  was  compounded  of  cunning  and  vanity, 
and  his  affected  contempt  of  James,  I  think  it  is  manifest 
that  he  was  afraid  of  him  all  through  the  latter  part  of  the 
year  1685.     James  was  a  different  subject  for  his  manage- 
ment from  Charles  the  II. — he  had  neither  the  same  hold 
of  him  through  his  voluptuousness,  or  unprincipled  facility 
— devoid  of  pride,  as  he  had  upon  Charles.     Accordingly, 
it  appears  from   Barillon's    and    Louis's   letters,    that  the 
foreign  ministers  had  greater  hopes    of  James,  and  they 
doubtless  flattered  his  pride,  as  much   as  Louis  plied  his 
bigotry.      In  August  and  September,   of   the  year   1685, 
James  appears  to  have  had  fluctuations  between  the   hon- 
our of  his  crown,  and  the  corruptions  of  Louis.      He  was 
then    deemed    by  the  latter  to  incline  to  Holland,    Spain, 
Brandenburg,  and  Austria  :  Barillon  expressly  writes,  too, 
that  the  Austrian  minister  had  great  hopes  as   to  his  dis- 
positions :    in   November    Louis    writes,  "  J'apprends  de 
toutes  parts  que  le  roy  d'Angleterre,  temoigne  une  grande 
disposition,  a  entrer  dans  toutes  sortes  d'engagemens  con- 
traires  a  mes   interests."      Again,  in  the  same  month,  he 
is  apprehensive  of  his  engaging  in  the  interests  of  Austria, 
and  desires  Barillon  to    discover  the   true    designs  of  the 
English  king,  going  so  far  as  to   declare,  that  if  he  treats 
with  other  powers,  he,  Louis,  will  be  glad  of  any  difficul- 
ties his  parliament  may  throw  in  his    way.      The  letter  of 
Louis,  19th  November,  1685,  is  full  of  suspicion  and  mean 
malignity ;    even    inciting   Barillon  to  stir  up  members  of 
the  commons  against   James,   if  he    proves  ungrateful    to 
the   French   monarch.     Barillon,  in  answer   to    this,    ex- 
presses, towards  the    end  of  his  letter,    his  difficulties    in 
endeavouring  to  prevent   foreign  treaties,  and   not  being 
allowed  to  settle  on  a  subsidy  with   James  :    Louis   cer- 
tainly, by  such  suspicious  and  jealous  conduct,    placed  his 
ambassador   iu  a  most  perplexing  situation  ;  who  suggests 
a  pension  to  lord  Sutherland,  as  the   only  middle   course, 
and  Louis  consents  to  this,  on  the  ground  that  he,  Suther- 
land, should  prevent  engagements  contrary  to  the  French 


212 


king's    interest,  shewing    thereby   that  he  was  not  at  ail 
"secure"  of  James  himself;  and,  indeed,  in  the  same^lecter 
(ending  the   year    1685)  he   expresses  a  hope,  th;it  James 
will    not  hastily    renew  his    treaty    with   Spain !    James's 
apologies  (History,  p.  107)  to  Barillon,  prove  as  much  the 
necessity  he  felt  of  deceiving  the  French  court,  as  they  do 
dependence    upon    it.      I    cannot  help  being  of  opinion, 
that  Louis   found  him  more  unbending  than   he   desired, 
and  was  disappointed   and  displeased  by  his  conduct  very 
much ;   his    expressions   on  the  death  of   Charles,  being 
those   of  strong  disappointment,  his  fears  of  the  "  repose 
of  Europe"    being  disturbed   through    James  :  his  malig- 
nant intention  of  sowing  divisions  in  parliament,  his  jeal- 
ous caution  about  money,  and  his   resistance  of  all  Baril- 
lon's  advice,  shew  that  he  viewed  the  two  brothers  in  very 
different  lights,  and  apprehended  that  if  James  grew  strong 
at  home,  he  might  ultimately  turn  his  arms  against  France, 
and  join   in  the  general  league.       I  trust,  this  digression 
may  be  the  more  readily  pardoned,  as  the  work  I  have  un- 
dertaken is  necessarily  somewhat  desultory  ;  as  the  candour 
of  the  illustrious  author  of  the  fragment  would  have  been 
prompt,  had  he  lived,  to  admit  it,  if  his  opinion  had  gone 
a  little  too  far,  as  historic  truth  is    of  the  most  paramount 
value,  and    as    I  am  sure  the    noble  editor  and  the  public 
will    be   glad  to  peruse   suggestions,    arising  from  a  deep 
veneration  for  the  departed,  which  may  tend  to  excuse,  or 
to   account  for,  those  slight  imperfections  unavoidably  in- 
cident to  a    posthumous  work  never  corrected,  and    not 
even  prepared  and  reconsidered  for  publication. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  1802,  I  accompanied  Mr.  Fox 
to  the  archives  for  the  last  time  :  we  had  been  employed 
there  about  six  weeks  without  material  intermission.  I 
shall  not  easily  forget  Mr.  Fox  walking  up  stairs,  taking 
off  his  hat,  and  sitting  down  in  our  room,  oppressed  with 
heat  and  the  fatigue  arising  from  it;  taking  a  few  minutes 
to  recover  himself;  and  then  applying  with  the  same  ar- 
dour and  industry  every  day,  copying,  reading  aloud  the 


213 


passages  leading  to  any  discovery,  keeping  his  friends  bu- 
sily employed,  and  always  cheerful  and  active.  After  the 
day's  labour  had  ended,  Mr.  Fox  usually  called  at  three, 
when  we  went  to  the  museum,  or  some  other  place  worthy 
ot  attention.  But  it  is  past,  and  those  pleasant  and  in- 
structive labours  are  forever  ended  ! 

Previous  to  my  leaving  Paris,  where  Mr.  Fox  remain- 
ed a  tew  weeks  longer,  under  the  expectation  of  meeting 
his  brother,  general  Fox,  I  endeavoured  to  see  as  much  as 
possible  of  it,  which,  as  our  work  grew  lighter  at  the  close 
ot  September,  became  more  practicable,  without  failing  in 
that  duty  and  grateful  service,  so  deservedly  due  by  me  to 
the  great  man  who  had  benevolently  given  me  an  opportu- 
nity so  uncommonly  effective  of  seeing  this  brilliant  city, 
and  all  its  fascinating  and  extraordinary  scenes.      I  have 
mentioned  the  stage—- every  theatre  presented  good  actors. 
The  Cid,  Tancred,   and  other  pieces,   I  saw  represented 
admirably,   at  the  theatre   Francois.     The  smaller  comic 
theatres  were  excellent :  even  that  of  the  Jeunes  Elcves, 
afforded  specimens  of  acting,  to  have  been  admired,  in  any 
place  but  in  Paris.      The  grand  opera  filled  me  with  sen- 
sations of  delight :    there  the  ballet  is  the  most  charming 
thing  in  the  world — the  gracefulness,  beauty,  and  activity 
of  the  dancers—- so  many  young  females  of  different  ages, 
modelled  by  the  hands  of  the  graces,  were  so  fascinating  a 
view,  that  the  imagination,  in  recurring  to  Greece's  most 
golden  times,  could  scarce  find  a  parallel,  and  might  still 
more   easily  have    lead  the  spectator   to  forget   himself. 
Frescati,  too,  was  a  brilliant  and  singular  spectacle  ;  it  w^as 
a  handsome  house  with  a  pretty  garden,  thrown  open  to 
the  public,  and  beautifully  illuminated;  crowds  of  fashion- 
ables walked  about  here,  paid  nothing  for  admittance,  but 
expended  what  they  pleased  for  refreshment.      Here  I  saw 
Madame  Recamier,  also,  for  the  last  time,  surrounded 
and  almost  overpowered  by  a  multitude  of  persons  admi- 
ring her.      The  lovely  phantom,  breathing  a  thousand  de- 
licious charms,  yet  flits  before  me  ;  and  so  ingenuous,  and 


i 


214 


unaffected !  shunning  the  ardent  gaze,  and  if  conscious  of 
her  dazzling  beauty,  unassuming  and  devoid  of  pride  :  rich 
at  th^  first  of  female  virtues,  a  kind  and  noble  heart! 

The  Palais  de  Justice  I  was  but  able  to  look  into  :  the 
lawyers  pleading  loud,  garrulous,  and  vehement,  stunned  my- 
ears ;  they  v/anted  what  all  lawyers  in  general  want,  modu- 
lation of  voice,  and  gentleness  of  manner.  There  is  some- 
thing, toq,  so  insipid,  if  not  revolting,  in  the  arguments 
and  details,  belonging  to  ordinary  litigation,  that  unless 
Paris  had  been  destitute  of  every  charm,  I  should  not 
willingly  have  given  much  time,  during  our  short  stay,  to 
listen  to  French  lawyers ,  Notre  Dame  is  venerable,  but 
by  no  means  magnificent;  the  want  of  pictures  makes  it 
look  very  bare.  The  Pantheon  is  a  grand  building,-  the 
view  from  the  top  affords  a  beautiful  panorama  of  Paris 
and  its  vicinity;  and,  as  the  air  is  not  loaded  and  darkened 
with  coal  smoke,  every  thing  looks  distinct  and  cheerful : 
in  vaulted  cavities  beneath,  cenotaphs  to  Voltaire  and 
Rousseau  were  placed,  one  of  the  means  of  revolutionary 
mania  \ 

The  last  day  of  my  stay  in  Paris  being  one  on  which  a 
levee  was  held,  I  went  with  Mr.  Fox  and  some  of  his 
friends.  It  was  a  custom,  rather  than  any  remaining  de- 
sire to  behold  the  cold  ceremonies  and  fatiguing  pomp  of 
the  French  court,  v/hich  led  me  to  the  Thuilleries.  Bona- 
parte's former  question  of  etes  vous  catholique  ?  to  me, 
when  informed  that  I  was  an  Irish  gentleman,  was  not 
again  repeated.  I  saw  the  same  persons,  the  same  apart- 
ments, the  same  grandeur.  It  may  be  very  well,  said  I, 
inwardly,  to  those  who  barter  happiness  for  the  unreal 
gratifications  arising  from  pride,  avarice,  and  ambition; 
but  I  sicken  at  this  repeated  exhibition  ;  my  heart  feels  no 
enjoyment  here ;  I  am  not  sorry  this  is  the  last ;  and  so  I 
thought  of  the  dinners  at  Neuilly  ;  the  labour  of  attending 
the  great,  of  frequenting  courts,  and  associating  with  nobles 
and  courtiers,  is  not  smalK 


215 

**  Dulcis  inexpertis  cultura  potentis  araici 
Expertus  raetuit." 

I  took  leave,  however,  of  Madame  Talleyrand  (now 
princess  of  Benevento)  with  sincere  regret ;  that  amiable 
woman  had  shewn  feeling  and  unaffected  good-nature ; 
and  in  supporting  her  station,  I  had  always  found  her  at 
the  same  time  affable  without  insipidity,  gracious  without 
affected  condescension,  and  extremely  attentive  and  kind 
in  her  manners  to  strangers. 


CHAPTER  XVIL 


THE  reflections  and  observations  arising  out  of  a 
residence  of  about  two  months  in  France  and  Paris,  were 
often  effaced  by  the  variety  and  pressure  of  occupations, 
amusements,  and  pleasures.  The  society  of  Mr.  Fox  ab- 
stracted me  from  a  great  deal  of  the  common  life,  and 
scenes  so  full  of  information  for  a  stranger ;  besides,  the 
time  was  too  short  to  allow  that  maturer  consideration 
which  follows  the  first  tumult  of  ideas,  and  succeeds  the 
amusements  and  pleasures  of  a  new  and  extraordinary 
scene.  France  appeared,  beyond  measure,  benefitted  by 
the  revolution.  The  very  manners  and  dress  of  the  in- 
habitants, recovered  from  republican  rudeness  and  inele- 
gance, had  assumed  a  better  style,  not  so  effeminate  and 
foppish  as  in  the  old  regime,  and  not  so  careless  as  in  the 
republican  period. 

Agriculture  had  improved  immensely ;  not  a  spot  was 
neglected,  and  the  peasants  no  longer  groaned  under  partial 
burthens.  The  land  divided  into  patrimonial,  national,  and 
church  land,  was  of  different  purchase  in  value  ;  the  first 
a  good  deal  the  highest,  the  second,  or  emigres  land,  was, 


217 


at  a  great  distance  from  Paris,  very  low,  and  the  fliird, 
was  nearly  as  high  as  the  first.  The  unpleasant  idea  of  the 
return  of  an  emigre,  the  old  and  lawful  owner,  though  not 
any  doubt  of  the  security  of  the  government,  made  the 
second  sell  at  a  low  price.  The  almost  total  change  of 
property  has  rendered  the  new  government  very  secure  ; 
the  flight  of  the  emigres,  and  the  external  threatening  of 
foreign  powers,  irrevocably  confirmed  the  revolution.  It 
is  amusing  (let  this  idea  be  extended)  to  look  into  Europe, 
and  observe  also  the  wonderful  change  of  property  be- 
tween, and  in  different  states,  Germany,  Italy,  Switzer- 
land, the  Tyrol,  Dalmatia,  Venice,  &c.  &c.  and  if  we 
then  calmly  consider  the  language  of  Pittite  ministers, 
speaking  of  a  deliverance,  on  restoring  of  Europe,  we 
must  think  that  they  have  strangely  forgot  the  nature  and 
qualities  of  property,  to  expect  to  force  things  back,  or 
that  they  speak  but  to  deceive.  The  internal  trade  of 
France  appeared  flourishing,  and  they  hailed  with  great 
satisfaction,  rich  foreigners  coming  amongst  them. 

The  general  police  is  extremely  good  ;  Paris  at  all  times 
of  the  evening  and  night,  was  admirably  regulated;  no 
noise,  rioting,  or  intoxication,  was  known ;  at  eleven,  the 
streets  seem  quite  quiet,  and  no  person,  even  of  the  lower 
orders,  to  be  seen.  It  was  impossible  not  to  feel  the  gent^- 
ral  douceur  and  politeness  of  manners,  pervading  every 
class,  and  everywhere  smoothing  the  path  of  life.  The 
Irish  and  Scotch  mixed  much  more  easily  with  the  French 
than  the  English,  and  spoke  their  language  better  too  ; 
the  former  were  much  respected  on  the  continent,  as 
belonging  to  an  ancient,  and  once  renowned  nation.  The 
Englishman,  seldom  leaving  his  country  till  his  habits  are 
all  formed,  afterwards  finds  repugnance  to  unbend  himself, 
to  accommodate  his  manners  to  those  of  foreigners,  or  to 
mould  the  organs  of  speech  to  their  language  ;  the  ele- 
gance and  taste  of  foreigners,  do  not  compensate  to  him 
for  his  want  of  comfort  at  home.  He  makes  philosophic 
remarks,    but  does   not    act   philosophically— -he  reasons 

2  E 


^18 

strongly,  but  his  practice  is  unwise — in  fine,  he  travels 
with  less  advantage  than  others,  and  often  returns  with  no 
other  acquisition  than  his  prejudices  confirmed.  I  speak 
in  general;  the  English  nobility,  and  gentlemen  of  fortune 
and  good  education,  are  the  most  polished  and  dignified 
class  of  men  in  Europe. 

I  had  often  heard  the  French  accused  of  insincerity, 
hut  I  never  met  with  any  thing  to  countenance  the  idea. 
1  found  them  highly  capable  of  friendship,  full  of  feeling, 
and  very  discriminating.  The  French  are  much  addicted 
to  amusement,  it  is  true,  and  it  may,  perhaps,  be  said  to 
weaken  their  character  in  some  degree;  but,  if  the  short- 
^^.ness  of  life,  the  superfluous  and  additional  cares  heaped 
-on  it  by  narrow  and  brooding  minds,  be  righfly  consider- 
ed, perhaps,  there  will  be  found  much  wisdom  and  philo- 
sophy in  gilding  the  hours  of  life,  as  much  as  we  can,  con- 
sistently with  a  care  of  our  families,  and  regard  to  the 
improvement  of  our  minds.  In  society,  the  French  are 
eminently  pleasing,  and  the  women,  in  point  of  elegance, 
vivacity,  and  penetration,  seem  calculated  to  render  the 
life  of  man  a  happy  dream,  in  which  he  discovers  flowers 
at  his  feet,  and  a  fragrant  air  continually  around  him.  It  is 
vain  to  attempt  to  do  justice  to  the  graces  of  their  conver- 
sation. Thev  very  much  resemble  my  own  country-women, 
the  Irish  ladies,  in  feeling,  and  a  nice  attention  to  the 
wants  of  their  guests. 

The  government  was  too  recently  established  when  I 
w^as  in  France  to  decide  what  effect  it  had  upon  the  people. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  the  shaking  off*  the  old  despotism 
has  invigorated,  beyond  measure,  the  French  nation.  It 
will  take  a  long  time,  (and  the  wiser  the  monarchs  of  the 
new  regime,  the  longer  it  will  be)  before  the  corruption 
and  profligacy  too  often  inherent  in  old  governments,  will 
take  a  strong  root,  flourish,  and  overshadow  the  state.  If 
it  be  said  that  it  is  a  despotism,  it  may  also  be  replied, 
that  it  Is  a  dictatorship,  established  in  a  time  of  critical 


219 


emergency,  and  that  the  people's  preservation  requirea  «, 
strong  and  absolute  government  !  The  taxes  were  very 
high,  but  they  were  equally  imposed  in  1802 — there  were 
no  reversions  or  sinecures — or  old  pensions — the  govern- 
ment was  loaded  by  no  debt,  and  the  state,  with  the  vigour 
of  youth,  and  the  benefit  of  experience,  was  starting  for- 
Avard,  in  a  career  whose  consequences  and  results  could 
not  easily  be  calculated.  There  was  evidently  now  not  only 
a  commencement  of  a  new  government,  but  of  a  new  era 
of  things  :  the  radical  change  had  been  so  great,  that  it 
might  be  said,  as  of  a  new  order  of  things  rising  up, 

**  Jura  magistratusque  legunt,  sanctumque  senatum. 
Bic  portus  alii  effodunt:  hie  altatheatris 
Fundcmanla  locaut  alii,  immanesque  columnas 
Rupibus  excidunt,  scenis  decora  alta  futuris. 
Qualis  apes  testate  nova  per  florea  regna 
Exercet  sub  sole  labor,  cum  gentis  adultos 
Educunt  fetus  ;  aut  cum  liquentia  mella 
Stipant,  et  dulcidistendunt  nectare  cellas; 
Aut  ouera  accipiuut  venientium  ;  aut,  agmine  facto, 
Ignavum  fucos  pecus  a  prcesepibus  arceiit." 

It  was  manifest  that  though  the  nev/  government  might 
not  afford  all  that  sanguine  persons,  and  ardent  lovers  of 
liberty,  might  desire,  that  it  presented  a  refuge  from  the 
tumult  and  blood  of  preceding  times,  of  an  acceptable  na- 
ture. The  laws  were  very  much  simplified,  and  therefore 
improved,  the  old  code  having  become  dreadfully  complex, 
and  magnified.  As  to  crimes,  I  observed  that  punishments 
of  four,  five,  seven,  ten,  or  fifteen  years  imprisonment, 
were  decreed  for  great  offences ;  but  capital  punishments 
themselves  were  rarely  inflicted.  The  constitution  of  the 
government  itself  offered  nothing  pleasing  to  those  habitu- 
ated to  admire  the  advantages  of  the  British  constitution; 
but  it  possessed  great  energy,  and  in  a  period  of  great 
importance  to  the  French  nation,  threatened,  as  it  had  been, 
with  annihilation,  and  placed  in  the  unnatural  and  feverish 
situation  of  working  through  its  own  salvation,  at  the  ex- 
pense   of   ruined   monarchies,   and   Europe's    stupendous 


220 


changes,  the  people  had  been  induced  to  think,  that   the 
government,  ever   absolute   of  one  man,  was  called  for, 
since  all  others  had  been  tried,  and  had  failed.  The  seve- 
rity and  suspicions   of  the  new   government  were  natural 
to    it,    in    common    with    all    others    so    circumstanced : 
jealousy  and  vindictiveness,  though  shocking  at  all  times, 
yet  in  such  a  government  were   incidental  to   its   nature, 
:ind  were  connected  with  its  self-preservation.    The  temple 
where  Louis  had  been  confined,    was  now  used    for  state 
prisoners  :   many  were   immured  there — many  transmitted 
from  thence  in  a  private  manner,  and  often  by  night.   That 
unfortunate  king,  (whose  death  was  by  no  means  so  digni- 
fied   as  has  been  represented,    as  he  struggled  much,    and 
died  with   great  pusillanimity,)  had  rendered  this  building 
interesting,  and  I  always  passed  it  with  feelings  of  sorrow 
for  the  past,  and  of  indignation  for  the  present.    The  tem- 
ple was  the  state  prison,    and  w^s  constantly  full.    I  left 
Paris   with    no  pleasing  impression  of   this   government, 
however,  and  regretting  that  an  arbitrary  regime  had  been 
the  result  of  a  revolution,   which  had  cost  the   people  so 
much  misery  and  so  much  blood,*    though  I  was  not  pre- 
pared to  say  that,  persecuted  as  France  had  been,  and  con- 
verted into  a  military  nation,  as  she  had  been  for  her  own 
preservation,  any  thing  else  could  have  been  expected. 

I  took  leave  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox  with  sincere  regret. 
Their  friendship  had  procured  me  every  gratification  in 
France.  Whatever  was  pleasing  and  delightful  I  owe  to 
their  kindness  :  they  contributed  in  every  way  to  make 
any  young  friend  under  their  roof  happy.  There  was  no 
constraint  so  imposed.  Our  life  at  the  hotel  de  Riche- 
lieu and  at  St.  Anne's  Hill,  was  as  far  as  possible  similar: 
early  hours,  a  small,  well  regulated  family;  harmony,  peace, 
and  happiness.  In  Mr.  Fox  a  constant  disposition  to  bring 
every  one  forward  advantageously;  the  same  desire  to 
listen  and  encourage;  in  short,  the  same  steady  and  lively 
friendship  in  Paris  as  in  England;  the  same  magnanimous 
mdifFcrence  for  power  and  its  attractions;  the  same  love  for 


221 

poetry,  the  arts,  and  all  the  efforts  of  genius ;  the  saMe 
warm  remembrance  of  all  his  friends,  the  same  love  for 
England,  and  attachment  for  home,  distinguished  him  in 
the  great  metropolis  of  the  continent,  as  in  the  rural  walks 
of  St.  Anne's  Hill.  I  left  Paris  with  a  great  deal  of  sor- 
row,* but  the  excellent  and  beloved  inhabitants  of  the 
hotel  de  Richelieu,  occasioned  the  greatest  share  of  it :  in 
leaving  them  behind,  I  felt  that  I  left  every  thing  deserv- 
ing to  be  valued,  honoured,  and  loved.  I  left  them !  and 
the  diligence,  into  which  I  stepped,  soon  removed  me  from 
the  brilliant  scenes  of  Paris,  and  the  far  more  cherished 
society  of  invaluable  friendship. 

Three  years  passed  over  before  I  rejoined  Mr.  Fox; 
bound  to  him  by  ties  of  gratitude,  affection  and  esteem,  I 
had  conceived,  as  my  dearest,  though  melancholy  hope, 
that  I  might,  at  the  last  awful  hour,  be  allowed  to  render 
him  the  services  which  such  a  man  deserved  so  truly  from 
any  one  honoured  by  his  regard.  That  hope  was  fulfilled 
much  sooner  than  I  imagined.  This  great  man  was  too 
soon  taken  from  this  mortal  scene,  for  the  happiness  of 
his  friends,  and  the  welfare  of  his  country.  In  my  suc- 
ceeding pages  I  shall  present  an  imperfect  sketch  of  his 
latter  days,  anxious  as  I  am  to  present  his  character,  in 
that  melancholy  period,  in  the  undisguised  garb  of  truth 
and  simplicity;  no  more  is  necessary  for  throwing  a  lustre 
round  it,  if  not  as  powerfully  bright,  yet  more  mildly  ra- 
diant than  that  of  his  happiest  days. 


END  OF  THE  TOUR  TO  PARIS.. 


PART  n. 


PART  II 


CHAPTER  L 


IN  the  commencement  of  the  year  1806,  after  the 
demise  of  Mr.  Pitt,  there  existed  a  pretty  strong  sentiment 
in  the  nation,  but  a  great  deal  more  powerful  one  among 
certain  parties,  that  a  combination  of  rank,  talent,  and  po- 
pularity, was  imperiously  required  to  support  the  state. 
The  nation  wanted  a  great  man,  unshackled  and  decisive 
at  its  head,  to  remedy,  as  far  as  might  be  possible,  past 
errors,  and  to  infuse  a  wholesome  spirit  of  economy  and 
temperate  views  into  the  political  body.  Party  wanted  a 
leader.  Unfortunately  circumstances  had  concurred  to 
cause  lord  Grenville  and  Mr.  Fox  to  act  together.  Thus 
there  were  two  leaders  of  one  heterogeneous  party,  and  the 
introduction  of  both  into  his  majesty's  councils,  was 
deemed  to  be  indispensably  requisite. 

I  am  much  inclined  to  think  that  Mr.  Fox  bad  deter- 
mined to  devote  himself  to  history,  previous  to  Mr.  Pitt's 
death ;  nor  do  I  think  that  event  would  have  altered  his 

^  F 


226 

intentions,  unless  the  voice  of  the  people,  reaching  the 
throne,  had  concurred  in  seeing  placed  at  the  head  of  the 
ministry,  a  friend  to  the  just  equilibrium  between  regai 
authority  and  popular  rights,  a  man  of  commanding  genius 
and  extensive  knowledge.  Assailed,  however,  by  persua- 
sion, and  willing  to  sacrifice  his  own  opinions  for  the  good 
of  his  country,  his  judgment  and  feelings  gave  way,  and 
he  consented  to  take  a  part  in  the  ministry  in  conjunction 
with  lord  Grenville. 

He  could  not  be  ignorant  that  such  a  ministry  was  un- 
stable. The  basis  was  without  foundation.  Even  the 
superstructure  was  Pittite,  to  which  Mr.  Fox  lent  the 
sanction  and  grace  of  his  illustrious  name.  It  is  not  im- 
probable that  the  court  unobstructed  by  lord  Grenville  and 
his  friends,  might  have  determined  on  placing  Mr.  Fox  at 
the  helm  of  affairs.  Certain  it  is,  that  his  admission  to  the 
sole  management  of  the  government,  or  his  rejection, 
would  have  benefitted  the  cause  of  the  people.  The  one 
would  have  permitted  him  to  select  honest  and  enlight- 
ened men  for  every  department,  and  to  have  restored  their 
just  weight  to  the  people.  The  other  would  have  placed 
him  on  so  high  an  elevation  in  public  opinion,  that  no 
ministry  formed  afterwards,  could  long  have  withstood  the 
nation's  indignation,  or  if  they  did,  Mr.  Fox's  great  name 
would  have  so  strengthened  the  popular  cause,  that  ulti- 
mately it  must  have  triumphed  :  a  triumph  that  excellent 
character  might  have  lived  to  witness,  or  have  left  as  a 
bequest  to  posterity,  of  no  common  value. 

'  In  the  years  1 803  and  1 804,  he  appeared  daily  grow- 
ing fonder  of  St.  Anne's  Hill,  and  to  covet  less  the  busi» 
ness  of  the  house  of  commons.  My  wonder  is,  that  he 
could  have  endured  it  so  long :  had  he  been  educated  less 
for  the  views  of  political  warfare,  he  would  earlier  have 
thought  of  abandoning  it.  The  idea  of  a  junction  between 
Mr.  Fox  and  Mr.  Pitt,  shortly  before  the  latter's  decease^ 
proves  to  me  that  the  Pitt  system  was  tottering,  and  requi- 


227 


red  ^d  ;  it  was  a  falling  house,  seeking  for  a  new  partner, 
and  hoping  to  preserve  credit  by  a  new  name.  By  such  a 
junction  Mr.  Fox  would  have  lost,  the  latter  would 
have  gained  every  thing ;  perhaps  his  hope,  and  object  in 
coming  into  power,  may  fairly  be  considered  as  peace. 

Early  in  February  1806  the  new  ministry,  with  Mr. 
Fox  and  lord  Grenville  at  their  head,  were  called  to  his 
majesty's  councils,  and  as  he  wished  to  place  me  near  him- 
self, he  required  me  to  join  him  the  day  after  he  had  re- 
ceived his  majesty's  commands.  I  left  Ireland  with  no 
sanguine  hopes  that  a  ministry  thus  constituted  could 
render  much  service  to  these  countries,  and  particularly 
to  Ireland.  Lady  Moira,  whose  name  and  character  is 
deserving  of  equal  admiration  and  respect,  previous  to  my 
leaving  Dublin,  distinctly  pointed  out  to  me  the  impossi- 
bility of  the  ministry  existing  long,  unless  a.  total  change 
4n  all  the  minor  departments  took  place,  and  predicted 
exactly  what  happened,  in  case  such  regeneration  was  not 
carried  into  effect.  All  her  hopes  were  founded  on  Mr. 
Fox ;  superior  even  to  her  son  in  genius,  and  inferior  to 
no  one  in  patriotism  and  the  love  of  mankind,  she  found 
in  Mr.  Fox,  the  kindred  of  the  soul — dignified  in  manner 
and  deportment,  of  an  unbounded  comprehension,  warm 
in  her  affections,  and  constant  in  friendship,  viewing  the 
business  of  government  in  its  general  bearings,  and  in  de- 
tail with  a  powerful  penetrating  eye,  a  patriot  in  the  very 
best  sense  of  the  word,  because  she  preferred  adhering  to  a 
distressed  and  degraded  country,  before  the  lures  of  gran- 
deur, and  the  gratification  of  the  society  of  her  connex- 
ions among  the  English  nobility;  mistress  of  history,  and 
wonderfully  well  versed  in  all  the  turns  of  the  human 
heart,  compassionate  to  the  miserable,  possessing  eminent 
powers  in  conversation,  always  serene  and  commanding, 
often  witty  in  the  most  delightful  manner,  devoid  of 
vanity,  and  if  she  had  pride,  it  was  a  pride  of  the  most 
ennobling  nature,  raising  her  to  every  excellence,  and 
never  betraying  her  into  contempt  or  rudeness  to  others: 


228 


This  accomplished,  and  truly  noble  woman,  felt  the  dan- 
ger and  the  importance  of  the  crisis  of  the  beginning  of 
1806,  and  saw  with  a  prophet's  foresight,  and  a  patriot's 
grief,  the  irretrievable  errors  which  would  spring  from 
the  destruction  of  a  ministry,  of  which  Mr.  Fox  was  at 
the  head,  and  the  long  train  of  calamities  hanging  over 
these  countries,  in  the  event  of  a  restoration  of  the  Pittite 
system,  and  the  triumph  of  its  adherents.  In  particu- 
lar, lady  Moira  impressed  on  my  mind  the  necessity  of  a 
radical  change  in  Ireland ;  it  was  the  country  of  her  adop- 
tion, to  it  she  had  consecrated  a  long  and  most  useful  life 
' — in  it,  she  had  determined  to  breathe  her  last — and  now, 
wavering  on  the  confines  of  mortality,  she  was  endeavour- 
ing to  convey  to  Mr.  Fox,  through  me,  the  admonitions 
of  an  incomparable  friend,  full  of  anxiety  for  his  fame, 
of  maternal  yearnings  for  the  prosperity  of  Ireland,  she 
was  the  guardian  spirit  exerting  itself  before  it  winged  its 
flight  to  a  better  world,  for  the  benefit  of  the  friends  of 
liberty,  of  her  chosen  country,  and  of  mankind.  Disdain- 
ing every  religious  distinction,  forgetting  the  narrow  con- 
cerns of  worldly  beings,  full  of  solicitude  for  their  happi- 
ness and  prosperity,  which  she  knew  her  declining  life 
would  not  permit  her  to  participate  in,  she  earned  im- 
mortality by  her  last  action,  and  in  aiming  at  co-operation 
with  Fox,  she  showed  at  once  the  grandeur  of  her  mind, 
the  justness  of  her  views,  and  the  excellence  of  her  heart. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  attempt  even  an  outline  of  Mr, 
Fox's  ministry,  but  to  confine  myself  chiefly  to  those  things 
personal  and  peculiar  to  himself.  Lady  Moira's  testimo- 
ny I  have  cited,  to  show  that  admirable  woman's  intuitive 
view  of  things,  how  rightly  she  had  conceived  that  the  dif- 
ficulties of  the  new  ministry  would  spring  from  Ireland, 
and  that  the- most  enlightened  persons  in  that  country 
considered  the  ministry  unstable,  unless  a  total  change  of 
system  was  introduced  there.* 

*  1  saAv  lady  Moira  after  Mr.  Fox's  death  ;  she  received  me  with  great  kind- 
pess,  but  great  emotion, — she  took  me  by  the  hand  as  1  addressed  her,  "  W'^e 
have  lost  every  thing,"  said  she  ;  *'  that  gi-eat  man  was  a  guide  for  them  all.'* 


229 

The  Irish  nation,  of  which  the  great  majority  so  much 
exceed  the  numbers  of  the  settlers,  that  it  may  be  justly 
styled  and  deemed  a  catholic  one,  and  must  yet  take  its 
place  in  Europe  as  one,  when  England  is  taught  wisdom 
by  adversity,  at  this  period,  was  full  of  the  most  sanguine 
hopes,  from  the  sole  consideration  of  Mr.  Fox,  who  was 
ever  much  beloved,  by  having  consented  to  stand  at  the 
head  of  the  ministry  ;  the  repeal  of  the  union,  the  ca- 
tholic emancipation,  of  course,  and  the  establishment  of  a 
liberal  and  conciliating  system  in  all  things,  danced  before 
their  warm  imaginations. 

Before  I  left  Ireland,  I  dreaded  their  disappointment, 
I  doubted  Mr.  Fox's  competence  to  gratify  them' — I  knew 
his  opinion  of  the  union — adverse  to  its  principle,  because 
Fox  was  the  friend  of  liberty — unfavourable  to  it,  also,  on 
account  of  the  baseness  of  the  means  of  accomplishing  it  ; 
but,  also,  strong  upon  the  difficulty  of  rescinding  it ;  I 
foresaw  that,  joined  with  lord  Grenville,  his  measures 
must  be  shackled,  and  his  grand  views  for  Ireland  and  the 
empire,  be  much  impeded.  Already,  too,  I  saw  with  pain 
a  mixed  system  appearing — the  attorney  and  solicitor 
generals  of  a  Pittite  ministry  in  Ireland  retained^  and 
Mr.  Curran,  a  man  whose  splendid  exertions  at  the 
Irish  bar,  in  defence  of  the  subject,  deserved  reward  from 
a  Foxite  ministry,  as  yet  unnoticed,  and  placed  in  a  pain- 
ful situation,  before  the  eyes  of  the  people ;  the  most  in- 
veterate unionists,  and  adherents  of  the  Pittite  system, 
not  dismayed,  and  preparing  to  hold  their  ground  by  ma- 
nagement and  solicitation,  through  channels  upon  which 
they  depended.  As  I  took  my  leave  of  lady  Moira,  I 
mingled  my  apprehensions  and  fears  with  her's — we  both 
shuddered  at  the  idea  of  failure  or  discredit  attaching  to 
Mr.  Fox's  ministry,  and  concurred  in  thinking  that  the 
cause  of  liberty  would  receive  an  irreparable  blow,  if  he 
was  induced,  or  persuaded  into  compromising  too  much, 

The  tears  rolled  ia  torrents  down  her  venerable  cheeks  ;  **  he  was  their  great 
support,  and  now  there  is  nothing  cheering  in  the  prospect.  For  me,  I  have 
pearly  run  my  coarse, — I  shall  remain  but  a  little  longer;  bat  osiers  will  suffer ; 
ihe  loss  of  Fox  is  irreparable.'* 


230 

under  the  specious  idea  of  an  union  of  parties,  with  old, 
and  well  known  enemies  to  it.  I  have  dwelt  upon  this 
Irish  subject  the  more,  because  every  year  succeeding 
has  shewn  me  that  such  opinions  were  not  less  correct  than 
they  were  important.  On  my  leaving  Ireland,  some  me- 
morials from  persons  having  suffered  unjustly,  as  they 
alleged,  were  put  into  my  hands,  for  Mr.  Fox  and  lord 
Moira,  of  which  I  shall  speak  presently. 

On  arriving  in  London,  I  found  Mr.  Fox  looking  re- 
markably well,  and  without  any  appearance  of  the  cruel 
disorder  which  so  soon  attacked  him.  He  was  now  the  great 
minister  of  state,  but  he  was  still  the  same  amiable,  do- 
mestic character,  and  the  same  sincere  warm  friend.  He 
looked  peculiarly  animated  when  I  first  saw  him  ;  his  air 
was  dignified  and  elevated,  and  there  was  more  of  majesty 
in  his  whole  appearance  than  I  had  ever  beheld  in  any  one  ; 
his  expressive  countenance  was  full  of  intellectual  fire,  and, 
beamed  with  a  softened  grandeur,  in  a  manner  that  filled  me 
with  a  new  sensation  of  grateful  veneration  for  this  illus- 
trious man.  After  a  long  and  glorious  struggle  against 
an  arbitrary  ministry,  he  was  now  at  the  head  of  his  ma- 
jesty's councils.  Calumny,  so  long  and  so  actively  em- 
ployed, sickened  at  the  view  ;  his  majesty's  better  and 
unperverted  judgment,  had  selected  the  most  enlightened 
man  in  his  dominions,  the  friend  of  the  people,  and  the 
supporter  of  a  limited  monarchy,  and  placed  him  in  the 
situation  so  long  abused  by  an  arrogant  man,  whose  im- 
perious temper  had  trenched  even  upon  the  feelings  of 
royalty  itself :  the  haughtiness  of  an  ambitious  and  arbi- 
trary mind  was  supplied  by  a  powerful,  conciliating, 
and  extensive  genius  ;  there  were  a  thousand  Pitts  :  office 
and  power  easily  make  active,  indefatigable,  and  lordly  mi- 
nisters !  But  it  is  the  hand  of  Providence  which,  according 
to  its  wise,  but  inscrutable  designs,  bestows  on  nations 
benevolent,  sagacious,  and  genuine  statesmen. 

In  Fox  his  majesty  at  length  saw  the  great  shield  of  the 
country,  and  by  cailitkg  him  into  the  cabinet,  on  the  demise 


231 

of  Mr.  Pitt,  gave  a  proof  that  he  had  been  held  in  thral«* 
dom  by  the  overbearing  minister,  who,  it  may  truly  be 
said,  could  bear  no  rival  near  the  throne.  There  was 
much  greatness  of  mind  in  the  venerable  monarch,  who 
thus  rose  above  the  long  system  of  delusion  practised 
against  him,  and  he  proved  himself  thereby  both  the  lover 
of  his  people,  and  also  the  ultimate  approver  of  Mr.  Fox's 
political  career.  With  such  an  adviser,  he  now  perceived 
America  would  have  been  unalienated,  Great  Britain  un- 
burthened,  and  France  of  just  dimensions  and  moderate 
power.  Afflicted  as  the  father  of  his  people  now  unhap- 
pily is,  bowed  down  with  years  and  infirmity,  it  is  a 
consolation  to  his  family,  and  satisfaction  to  those  who 
sincerely  venerate  him,  that,  with  his  faculties  un- 
clouded, and  his  health  unimpaired,  he  chose  Charles 
James  Fox  as  his  minister,  instead  of  continuing  the  sys- 
tem of  Mr.  Pitt. 

Had  lord  Grenville  and  his  friends  been  thrown  aside, 
much  more  would  have  been  effected,  but  party  was  too 
strong  for  the  monarch,  and  the  genius  of  Fox  was  thus 
cramped,  thwarted,  and  counteracted. 

The  department  for  foreign  affairs,  at  the  head  of  which 
Mr.  Fox  was  placed,  required  all  his  attention.  The  map 
of  Europe  presented  a  chaos  to  his  view,  out  of  which  he 
was  to  bring  order,  peace,  and  security.  The  floating 
fragments  of  a  shipwreck  were  to  be  collected  and  com^ 
bined.  The  gigantic  power,  which  embraced  the  continent 
in  its  iron  grasp,  was  to  be  bounded  and  restrained.  The 
world  required  a  master-hand  to  readjust  and  repair  its 
parts.  Vulgar  minds  might  for  a  while  continue  the  ob- 
stinate course  of  attempting  to  regulate  that  world  by  war, 
but  Mr.  Fox  knew  too  well,  that  a  series  of  defeated  coali- 
tions, like  unsuccessful  conspiracy  on  a  smaller  scale^ 
serves  to  strengthen  the  object  attacked,  and  that  the  time 
was  long  past  for  correcting,  by  arms,  the  excessive  power 
of  France.  He  desired  to  make  peace,  but  even  that  was 
become  a  matter  of  infinite  difficulty.     Thus  he  received 


232 


power,  succeeding  a  predecessor,  who  had  carried  on  wav 
till  no  object  remained,  and  till  peace  seemed  to  be  almost 
as  dangerous  as  the  continuation  of  war.  Mr.  Fox  was 
well  aware  of  all  his  difficulties,  and  he  made  the  greatest 
sacrifice  that  man  could  make,  for  the  good  of  his  country, 
by  consenting  to  attempt  to  repair  the  shattered  vessel  of 
the  state. 

I  soon  perceived  him  in  a  new  light.  He  was  begin- 
ning to  apply  to  the  business  of  his  office.  He  went  gene- 
rally at  eleven,  and  staid  till  three  :  as  long  as  his  health 
continued  good,  ht  was  active,  punctual,  and  attentive  in 
the  highest  degree.  The  foreign  office  now  appeared  in 
a  different  light  from  its  semblance  of  an  office  under  Mr. 
Pitt.  That  minister  who  dictated  almost  every  thing,  had 
latterly  brought  government  to  the  shape  of  an  arbitrary 
regime,  and  left  the  person,  called  foreign  minister,  little 
to  do  but  copy  despatches.  Mr.  Fox  gave  that  office  a 
soul,  and  foreign  courts  soon  felt  that  an  accomplished 
minister  and  statesman  wrote  the  dispatches,  sent  to  the 
English  ambassadors  abroad.  His  majesty,  who  was  al- 
ways extremely  regular  and  punctual  in  the  discharge  of 
his  own  high  duties,  also  perceived  a  difference,  and  said 
"  that  the  office  had  never  been  conducted  in  such  a  man- 
ner before,"  and  expressed  much  satisfaction  at  Mr.  Fox's 
mode  of  doing  the  business.  This  testimony  was  the 
more  striking  and  valuable,  as  his  majesty  never  caused 
delay  himself  in  that  department ;  the  dispatches  transmit- 
ted to,  and  laid  before  him,  were  uniformly  returned  with 
a  punctuality  deserving  every  praise,  worthy  of  imitation, 
and  highly  becoming  the  first  magistrate  of  the  state. 

As  his  under  secretaries  were  quite  new  in  office,  Mr, 
Fox  directed  and  modelled  every  thing  himself  at  first. 
His  dispatches  were  allowed,  by  every  one  in  the  office, 
even  by  those  who  had  grown  old  there,  to  be  models  of 
composition,  far  excelling  every  thing  gf  the  kind  in  it  from 
times  long  back  :  they  certainly  had  every  claim  to  praise 
— clear,  comprehensive,  and  conciliating,  and  strong,  they 


2S3 

were  vvonhy  of  the  pen  of  the  minister  of  a  great  nation^ 
shewing  great  knowledge  of  human  nature — avoiding  any- 
thing like  dictating,  consulting  the  feelings  and  dignity  of 
every  court  to  which  he  sent  instructions,  full  of  energy 
and  grandeur  of  mind,  and  calculated  to  create  new  sensa- 
tions, and  a  new  era  upon  the  continent. 

Shortly  after  my  arrival,  I  could  not  but  feel  a  strong 
sentiment,  and  a  very  peculiar  one,  on  going  in  his  coach 
to  the  foreign  office  with  Mr.  Fox  and  sir  Francis  Vincent^ 
one  of  the  under  secretaries,  as  we  passed  a  regiment  of 
the  guards  returning  from  parade  :  an  excellent  minister, 
and  benignant  man  was  now  at  the  head  of  affairs,  the  mi- 
litary passing  shew  was  no  longer  formidable.  I  felt  as- 
sured that  under  Mr.  Fox  no  standing  army  would  be 
employed  against  the  people's  liberties  ;  the  music  of  the 
regiment  sounded  more  sweetly,  the  soldiers  appeared  more 
respectable,  the  idea  of  military  coercion  vanished,  and, 
for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  1  looked  with  complacency 
upon' that  part  of  the  system  of  modern  governments* 

This  day  I  recollect  sir  Francis  Vincent,  who  was  a  very 
assiduous  and  very  respectable  young  man,  but  who  did 
not  at  all  comprehend  the  delicacy  and  grandeur  of  Mr. 
Fox's  character,  began  to  talk  of  foreign  politics,  and 
quoted  M.  Gentz  as  authority.  Mr.  Fox  made  no  reply. 
1  ventured  to  say,  that  I  did  not  think  Gentz,  or  people  of 
that  stamp,  entitled  to  much  weight,  "  Certainly,"  said 
Mr.  Fox,  very  quietly,  and  almost  under  his  breath.  Sir 
Francis  had  been  a  lawyer,  and  carried  with  him  a  good 
deal  of  the  profession ;  and,  attentive  to  small  matters, 
proud  of  overcoming  little  difficulties,  anxious  to  obtain 
his  superior's  approbation,  but  very  little  qualified  to  appre- 
ciate the  mind  of  Mr.  Fox.  He  was,  however,  good* 
natured  in  his  way,  always  in  a  hurry,  and  ready  to  wear 
out  a  hundred  pair  of  shoes  to  oblige  the  secretary  of  stat© 
for  foreign  affairs. 


2  G 


264 


Mr.  Fox  went  to  court  in  all  the  simplicity  of  a  plain 
dress.  "  He  does  very  well,"  said  a  young  friend  of  mine, 
who  was  quite  a  courtier,  and  one  of  the  gentlemen  Exon 
who  attended  upon  the  king,  "  but  it  is  terrible  that  he  does 
not  put  powder  in  his  hair."  I  said,  with  a  smothered 
smile,  very  gravely,  "  it  is  not  so  well."  "  If  any  one  would 
advise  him,"  rejoined  the  young  courtier,  "  if  his  friends 
would  speak  to  him."  This  young  man  saw  not  the 
resplendent  greatness  of  the  character  of  Mr.  Fox,  or  he 
thought  only  of  the  want  of  powder  in  his  hair. 

My  readers  may  recollect  an  anecdote  of  general  Du- 
mourier,  which  resembles  this.  Roland,  as  minister  of 
the  interior,  went  to  the  court  of  Louis. — "  My  God  !  Sir," 
said  a  courtier  tO/  the  general,  "  he  has  strings  in  his  shoes  !" 
Good  heavens  !  Sir,"  said  Dumourier,  "is  it  so  ? — we  are 
ruined."  In  truth,  no  one  was  ever  more  unaffected,  or 
more  thoroughly  disdained  the  pomp,  or  ceremonies  of 
courts,  than  Mr.  Fox.  He  was,  however,  pleased  with 
the  king's  reception  of  him,  and  he  uniformly  appeared  to 
me  the  whole  subsequent  time  he  was  in  office,  full  of  just 
respect  for  his  majesty,  attentive  co  his  wishes,  and  anxious 
to  conduct  matters  in  the  office,  so  as  to  merit  the  continu- 
ance of  his  approbation. 

The  introduction  of  Mr.  Fox  so  late  into  his  majesty's 
council's,  may  be  thought  to  have  occasioned  some  embar- 
rassment between  the  monarch  and  his  patriotic  and  neg- 
lected minister.  Nothing  of  this  kind,  however,  took  place. 
The  sovereign  possessed  too  much  dignity  and  elevation  of 
mind,  to  adopt  any  party  animosity,  and  the  minister  felt 
too  profound  a  respect  for  his  royal  master,  and  too  much 
veneration  for  monarchy  itself,  not  to  approach  the  royal 
presence  in  a  manner  worthy  of  himself  and  of  the  king. 
Every  thing  passed,  therefore,  in  the  most  agreeable  and 
gracious  manner,  and  I  was  thereby  convinced,  that  a  fac- 
tion had  long  abused  the  monarch's  ear,  or  had  been  cri- 
minally silent,  in  regard  to  the  transcendant  qualities  of 
IMr.  Fox.     His  majesty  was  a  remarkably  good  judge  of 


235 

the  qualifications  of  his  ministers ;  he  expected  punctuality^ 
despatch,  and  vigour;  and  he  knew  perfectly  well  when  he 
was  properly  served.  It  has  been  supposed,  and  I  believe 
with  good  reason,  that  his  former  minister,  Mr.  Pitt,  had 
become  obnoxious  to  the  sovereign,  by  his  haughty  man- 
ners, and  his  monopolizing  exercise  of  power :  but  Mr. 
Fox  was  a  character  quite  the  reverse  ;  and  by  fair  deduc- 
tion, naturally  more  agreeable  as  a  minister  to  a  crowned 
head.  I  understood  that  Mr.  Fox  never  deviated  from 
that  respectful  and  dutiful  manner  becoming  the  minister 
of  a  great  sovereign,  and  that  he  was  very  likely  to  have 
secured  his  majesty's  favour  as  an  amiable  man,  as  well  as 
his  consideration  as  an  enlightened  and  great  statesman, 
if  illness  had  not  intervened  and  finally  snatched  him  from 
the  world.  Mr.  Fox's  loss  was  peculiarly  felt  in  the  cabi- 
net on  the  affair  of  the  catholic  bill,  forced  on  the  king  by 
lord  Grey  (then  lord  Howick)  and  lord  Grenville.  The 
candid  and  undisguised  manners  of  Mr.  Fox  would  have 
precluded  all  mistake  in  such  a  business  :  his  majesty  and 
such  a  minister  would  at  once  have  understood  each  other. 
The  monarch's  character  was  always  firm  and  decisive ; 
Mr.  Fox's  was  not  less  so,  and  a  dislike  of  half  measures 
marked  both.  From  the  time  of  Mr.  Fox's  entering  the 
cabinet,  in  1806,  till  his  illness,  his  majesty  had  never  oc- 
casion to  testify  disapprobation:  with  his  mode  of  conduct- 
ing a  negotiation  he  was  much  pleased:  his  despatches  ob- 
tained even  his  majesty's  admiration,  (as  of  official  writing 
there  was  no  better  judge)  and  there  can  be  little  doubt 
that  with  such  a  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  the  name  of 
the  sovereign  and  of  Great  Britain,  (had  he  been  spared) 
would  have  risen  to   great  and  proud  estimation  abroad. 

Nothing  demonstrates  more  plainly  the  decision  and 
manliness  of  Mr.  Fox's  character,  than  his  conduct  to  the 
catholics  of  Ireland  on  coming  into  office  in  1806.  He 
did  not  flatter  them  with  any  hope  of  immediate,  nor  did 
he  insult  them  by  any  offer  of  partial,  relief.  His  dutiful 
feelings  to  a  venerable  sovereign,  preventing  him   from 


2S6 


rudely  intruding  matters  upon  him,  on  which  it  was  un- 
derstood he  had  a  fixed  and  strong  opinion.  He,  there- 
fore, suggested  to  the  catholics,  calmness  and  patience,  in 
shape  of  a  moderate  delay ;  but  added,  that  if  they  them- 
selves brought  forward  their  question,  he  would  support  it 
fully,  even  though  he  went  out  of  office  on  that  account. 
The  catholics  relied  upon  him,  and  did  not  press  their 
question.  Nor  would  that  confidence  have  been  abused, 
which  they  reposed  in  him.  In  the  year  1806,  he  hinted 
to  me,  something  relating  to  the  test  act  in  respect  to 
Ireland,  which  I  have  lately  considered  a  good  deal. 
Late  events  have  shewn  me  that  this  great  man  took  a 
stronger  and  deeper  view  of  their  case,  than  many  of  the 
catholics  themselves  do.  I  am  quite  sure  that  body  have 
lost  in  him  more  than  they  were,  or  are  even  yet  aware 
of.  The  rei^olution  of  1688,  which  may  be  considered  as 
a  sort  of  confirmation  of  the  Reformation  in  the  time  of 
Henry  the  Vlllth,  seems  to  present  weighty  and  serious 
obstacles  to  the  manner  of  catholic  emancipation,  since, 
by  the  act  of  union,  it  has  become  an  English  question. 
In  suggesting  to  my  catholic  countrymen,  (which  I  have 
lately  publicly  done,)  the  due  consideration  of  the  revo- 
lution in  1688,  I  have  but  followed  the  steps,  as  far  as  my 
judgment  enabled  me,  of  Mr.  Fox.  Lord  Eldon,  who 
always  appears  to  me  to  speak  like  an  honest  man,  has 
lately  alluded  to  this  revolution,  and  I  considered  his 
speech  as  the  more  worthy  of  attention,  because  Mr.  Fox 
had  himself  difficulties  and  doubts  on  the  precise  mode 
and  measure  of  catholic  relief,  under  the  union.  Let 
men  take  a  manly  and  definite  view  of  things.  I  acknow- 
ledge that  vague  and  long  declamations,  however  beauti- 
ful or  sublime,  do  not  satisfy  me,  on  the  great  catholic 
question.  The  parties  ought  to  explain  :  one  side  should 
declare  what  they  require,  precisely,  and  the  other  should 
state  the  obstacles,  and  the  quantity  which  would  satisfy, 
in  case  of  their  removal.  Otherwise,  it  appears  to  me 
the  catholics  may  be  in  the  situation  of  the  person  waiting 
till  the  river  ceases  to  .flow. 


33  7 

" Rusticus  expectat  dum  deflr.at  aninis,"  &c.'' 

On  a  late  remarkable  occasion  in  the  Irish  metropolis, 
I  scorned  to  delude  my  valued  countrymen  with  unde- 
fined expectations  :  it  was  due  to  Mr.  Fox's  great  name, 
and  to  myself,  to  call  their  attention  to  the  points  upon 
which  he  had  difficulties.  I  wished  them  to  imitate  his 
decision,  in  marking  definitely  their  just  claims,  thereby, 
as  well  aiding  their  friends,  and  refuting  their  enemies, 
as  also  admitting  protestant  Irish  gentleman  to  a  distinct 
knowledge  of  their  plan,  which,  as  Irishmen  co-operating 
with  them,  they  had  a  right  to  ask  for.  Mr.  Fox  saved 
Ireland  in  1806  from  the  suspension  of  the  Habeas  Corpus, 
and  had  he  lived,  the  insurrection  and  disarming  bills 
would  have  been,  in  like  manner,  averted !  How  noble 
was  that  mind  which,  in  an  English  breast,  felt  and  acted 
more  for  Ireland's  liberty  and  welfare,  than  numbers  of 
Irish  public  characters  have  done  since  the  act  of  union  ! 
How  truly  different  from  Mr.  Pitt,  who  followed  the 
steps  of  lord  Strafford  in  his  treatment  of  that  country, 
rather  than  the  practices  of  an  enlightened  and  wise 
statesman ! 

The  pressure  of  business  upon  Mr.  Fox,  at  his  coming 
into  office,  was  quite  overwhelming.  He  assured  me,  that 
the  servants  were  knocked  up  with  fatigue,  that  the  door 
was  perpetually  assailed  by  visitors  of  every  description 
and  rank.  What  Jan  effect  has  power  on  the  minds  of  men, 
how  does  it  impart  every  virtue  and  remove  every  stain  ! 
Mr.  Fox,  at  times  the  object  of  scorn  and  neglect,  but 
always,  in  the  eye  of  the  discerning,  the  first  man  in  the 
nation,  was  now  exalted,  beyond  measure,  in  the  opinions 
of  men,  and  it  was  thought  possible  he  might  make  as 
good  a  minister  as  Mr.  Pitt.  I,  too,  found  myself  after- 
wards courted  and  caressed  by  persons  who  now  do  not 
know  or  care  if  I  exist.  Such  are  men,  and  so  illusive 
and  deceitful  are  the  charms  of  power.  As  soon  as  the 
first  pressure  of  general  business,  and  private  importunity 


238 


was  past,  Mr.  Fox  began  to  plan  little  holiday  intervals 
of  going  to  St.  Anne's  Hill,  with  a  redoubled  relish  for 
that  beloved  spot. 

As  soon  as  I  could  obtain  a  proper  moment  of  leisure, 
I  did  not  fail  to  express  to  Mr.  Fox  my  uneasiness  at  the 
situation  of  Ireland.  I  also  laid  before  him  a  memorial 
from  an  Irish  catholic  gentleman,  who  had  suffered  by 
severe  and  very  unmerited  imprisonment.  Mr.  Fox  was  too 
much  oppressed  by  business  to  attend  minutely  to  such 
things,  but  had  not  illness  intervened,  his  heart  would  have 
led  him  to  every  thing  humane. 

On  leaving  Ireland,  I  had  understood  that  the  general 
feeling  of  the  catholics  was  to  do  nothing  whatever  to 
embarrass  Mr.  Fox.  There  was  something  so  generous 
and  almost  romantic  in  this  determination,  that  my  esteem 
and  affection  for  my  countrymen  were  heightened.  It 
was  a  novel  incident  in  politics,  that  above  three  millions 
of  men  should  rest  under  their  grievances,  almost  with 
pleasure  ;  and  with  all  the  confidence  of  the  warmest 
friendship,  rely  upon  one  man  for  protection  and  redress  ; 
that  they  should  stifle  their  groans,  and,  adjusting  their 
chains,  be  careful  that  not  one  clink  should  disturb  him 
in  his  great  work  of  restoring  peace  to  the  world,  and  qf 
preparing  a  system  of  home  policy,  capable  of  communi- 
cating happiness,  and  strength,  and  liberty,  to  the  British 
isles  !  Such  a  sublime  proof  of  disinterested  attachment  in 
the  Irish  catholics,  could  not  but  impress  every  friend 
of  Mr.  Fox  with  gratitude.  Impressed  with  a  lively  sense 
of  the  value  of  Ireland,  I  stated  to  Mr.  Fox  the  necessity 
of  immediate  and  effectual  steps  to  relieve  her  :  that  the 
magistracy  had  been  degraded  by  the  introduction  of  im- 
proper subjects  ;  that,  though  the  Catholics  had  great 
veneration  and  even  affection  for  him,  they  could  not  be 
expected  to  be  devoid  of  natural  feelings  common  to  all 
men  ;  and  though  under  his  ministry  they  were  inclined 
not  to  press,  their  generosity  and   abandonment  of  them- 


239 

selves  for  a  time,  deserved  every  thing,  and  that  every 
ultimate  bad  consequence  was  to  be  apprehended  for  the 
empire,  if  the  general  state  of  Ireland  was  not  redressed. 
As  I  felt  sincerely  and  strongly,  I  spoke  with  the  same 
freedom,  and  more  warmth  than  in  the  garden  of  the 
hotel  de  Richelieu  :  nor  was  Mr.  Fox  more  displeassed 
than  he  had  been  there  at  my  speaking  unreservedly. 
He   said,  however,  very  little. 

It  was  obvious  to  me,  that  in  his  own  breast  be  concur- 
red with  me  in  admitting  that  a  long  arrear  of  redress  was 
due  to  Ireland  ;  but  he  seemed  to  feel  indisposed  to  enter 
upon  the  subject ;  there  was  a  mixture  of  benevolence 
and  uneasiness  in  his  countenance,  which  said,  I  do  not 
blame  you  for  speaking  for  your  unhappy  country,  but 
you  do  not  comprehend  the  difficulties  of  my  situation. 
He  told  me,  however,  as  some  consolation,  that  a  strong 
recommendation  had  come  from  the  Irish  government, 
just  quitting  office,  (Lord  Hardwicke)  to  renew  the  sus- 
pension of  the  Habeas  Corpus  bill  this  year,  (I8O6)  but 
that  it  had  been  rejected.  It  was  very  evident,  from  his 
manner,  whom  Ireland  might  thank  for  this  boon,  and 
I  am  quite  satisfied  that  to  this  day  she  owes  so  much  of 
the  preservation  of  her  liberties  principally,  if  not  entirely, 
to  Charles  James  Fox.  On  this  occasion,  he  said  that 
something  was  in  contemplation  relating  to  tithes.  I  did 
not  think  Mr.  Fox's  mind  was  at  all  at  ease  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  Ireland.  He  seemed  to  rely  upon  the  duke  of 
Bedford's  name  and  amiable  disposition,  but  with  all  that 
candour  and  purity  of  soul,  which  so  eminently  set  him 
above  the  dark  and  haughty  statesman,  the  smooth  and  wily 
courtier,  he  did  not  affect  to  say,  that  much  could  be 
done.  I  could  read  in  his  mind  all  the  answer  he  could 
give  me,  to  be 

and  I  forbore  to  press  him  then ;  and  when  I  afterwards 


240 


renewed  the  subject,  I  found  in  him  the  sanrie  feelings.* 
In  fact,  the  patriots,  or  whig  characters  of  Ireland,  had 
contributed  to  make  Mr.  Fox's  situation  more  difficult 
and  more  individually  responsible  for  Ireland.  It  was 
manifest  that  Mr.  Grattan  and  Mr.  Ponsonby,  and  their 
friends,  had  made  no  conditions  for  her.  I  ever  con- 
sidered this  as  a  fatal  dereliction  of  her  interests.  Mr, 
Fox,  overwhelmed  as  he  was  with  foreign  and  domestic 
aifairs,  was  neither  called  upon,  nor  was  he  able^  to  act 
everywhere,  and  for  every  person.  I  am  sure,  too,  that, 
had  Mr.  Grattan  and  his  friends  expressly  declared  that 
they  must  know  what  terms  of  relief  would  be  granted 
to  Ireland,  before  they  could  support  the  new  ministry,  Mr. 
Fox  would  have  found  himself  strengthened  by  the  de- 
mand, and  that  if  no  other  man  in  the  cabinet  had  listen- 
ed with  satisfaction  to  their  proposals,  he  would.  The 
catholics,  helpless  as  they  were,  having  none  of  their 
body  in  the  English  parliament,  acted  a  wise  as  well  as 
generous  part  in  relying  silently  upon  Mr.  Fox  ;  but  Mr. 
Grattan,  having  become  an  English  member  for  Ireland, 
ought  to  have  insisted  upon  positive  measures  of  redress 
for  her,  and  opposed  even  Mr.  Fox's  ministry,  (as  he  has 
since  that  of  the  prince  regent,)  unless  its  first  measures 
were  calculated  to  destroy  the  Pittite  system  there,  and  to 
restore  liberty  to  his  long  oppressed  country.  I  am  certain 
Mr.  Fox  would  not  have  been  displeased  at  this  conduct. 
He  was  not  at  all  a  man  to  shudder  at  a  division  in  the 
cabinet,  if  he  was  on  right  ground,  and,  as  he  subsequent- 
ly must,  most  probably,  have  gone  out  upon  the  Irish  ques- 
tion, it  would  have  spared  him  great  labour  and  anxiety 
(perhaps  prolonged  his  invaluable  life,)  if  he  bad  at 
the  outset,  and  in  defence  of  the  liberty  and  happi- 
ness of  Ireland,  left  the  cabinet :  the  mercenary  crowd 
who  hovered  round  him,  panting  for  situation,  place, 
and  pension,  and  who   styled    themselves,  so  improperly, 

*  Droop  not  my  friend,  a  happier  day 
Mav  eonje,  and  chase  ihore  fears  awav. 


241 

his  friends,  might  have  been  disappointed,  but  FoXj 
great  at  St.  Anne's  Hill,  with  his  history,  the  poets, 
and  a  few  sincere  friends— -if  he  did  return  to  power* 
would  have  come  in  singly,  and  his  ministry  would  then 
have  been  without  alloy. 

As  I  always  looked  upon  that  sort  of  policy  which 
sanctions  a  bad  measure,  by  subsequent  inertness,  as  weak 
and  dangerous,  I  never  could  discover  what  reasons  could 
influence  Mr.  Grattan  and  his  friends  to  allow  the  union 
to  be  glossed  over,  as  if  irretrievable  ;  the  repeal  of  an  act 
of  union  not  being  more  diflicult  than  that  of  Poyning's 
law,  or  any  other  act  treating  upon  Ireland's  independence. 
The  goodness  of  Mr.  Grattan's  heart,  all  must  admit ;  but 
his  entrance  into  the  English  parliament,  after  the  union, 
has  involved  him  in  inextricable  difficulties,  I  fear  :  he 
may  recollect  our  conversations  after  the  union,  when  I 
almost  conjured  him  never  to  sit  in  an  English  assembly, 
whose  prejudices  were  strong  and  highly  adverse  to  Ire^ 
land. 


2  H 


CHAPTER  II, 


IN  the  spring  of  the  year  1806,  Mr.  Fox  was  always 
happy  to  get  to  St.  Anne's  Hill  for  a  few  days,  and  with- 
draw from  the  harassing  occupations  of  a  ministry,  which 
it  required  all  his  vigour,  and  all  the  weight  of  his  name 
to  uphold;  assailed  too,  as  it  was,  by  the  active  and  inde- 
fatigable adherents  of  the  Pittite  system,  and  weakened  by 
a  want  of  popularity,  naturally  resulting  from  the  neutra- 
lized course  it  appeared  to  pursue.  At  St  Anne's,  as  he 
had  been  at  La  Grange,  when  he  withdrew  from  the  splen- 
dour and  amusements  of  Paris,  he  seemed  more  than  ever 
to  delight  in  the  country.  A  small  party,  consisting  of 
general  Fitzpatrick,  and  lord  Albemarle  and  family, 
found  their  time  pass  lightly  away ;  Mr.  Fox,  with  a  few 
chosen  friends,  was  also  truly  happy  and  cheerful ;  lord 
Albemarle  was  sincerely  attached  to  him,  and  was  very 
much  regarded  by  him.  Lord  A.  was  one  of  those  ami- 
able and  unaffected  men,  possessing  sound  sense,  great 
good-nature,  and  a  feeling  heart ;  no  talker,  but  always  de- 
livering himself  well,  and  naturally  ;  a  most  excellent  do- 
mestic character,  and  worthy,  from  the  simplicity  of  his 
manners,  the  integrity  of  his  mind,  and  his  love  of  liberty 
and  respect  for  humanity,  every  way  worthy  the  friend- 
ship of  Mr.  Fox.  This  nobleman  has  spoken  little  in  the 
lords,   but  when  he  has  done  so,  it   was  always  on  grand 


^43 


principles,  and,  much  as  the  more  prominent  public  cha- 
racters are  applauded  for  their  exersions,  I  would  ever 
prefer  the  modest  merit,  ingenuous  nature,  and  noble 
heart  of  lord  Albemarle,  to  the  shining  orator  of  a  party ; 
to  the  consummate  politician,  alive  to  all  the  movements 
and  prospects  of  that  party,  but  dead  to  the  grand  interests 
of  his  country  and  the  world. 

Lord  Albemarle  was  sincerely  beloved  by  Mr,  Fox : 
lady  Albemarle,  whose  sincerity  and  naivete  were  very 
pleasing,  and  who  was  the  lovely  mother  of  some  fine 
children,  there  with  her,  also  contributed  to  make  St. 
Anne's  Hill  still  more  agreeable.  The  Messieurs  Porters, 
excellent  and  respectable  young  men,  neighbours  of  Mr. 
Fox,  and  by  him  long  esteemed,  were  occasionally  with 
us.  They  found  no  difference  in  the  great  minister  and  the 
tranquil  possessor  of  St.  Anne's  Hill.  I  had  seen  no- 
thing resembling  this  scene  but  La  Grange  ;  and  I  cannot 
but  think  that  Fox  and  La  Fayette,  if  parallels  of  great 
men,  in  the  manner  of  Plutarch,  were  made,  would  be 
found  similar  characters  in  a  great  variety  of  leading 
points ;  of  more  purity,  disinterestedness,  and  sensibility, 
than  any  of  modern  days,  equally  great,  equally  happy  in 
retirement,  contemners  of  power,  true  to  liberty,  warm 
and  affectionate  friends, fond  of  domestic  life,  the  country 
and  the  poets,  of  serene  and  admirable  temper,  disclaim- 
ing every  species  of  ostentation,  tolerant  and  liberal  in  re- 
ligion, kind  and  benevolent  to  inferiors,  easily  amused, 
and  hospitable  in  no  common  degree.  While  at  St. 
Anne's  Hill,  the  despatches  were  brought  to  Mr.  Fox, 
and  forwarded  from  thence  to  his  majesty. 

It  might  be  supposed  by  some,  that  the  cares  of  his 
new  situation  abstracted  him  from  all  thoughts  of  his 
Greek ;  but  I  am  going  to  give  a  proof  of  the  lively  con- 
cern he  continued  to  take  in  every  thing  relating  to  the 
poets.  Early  one  morning,  I  had  Euripides  in  my  hand, 
and  was  reading  Alccstis,  which  I  had   formerly  wished 


244 


to  do  in  Ireland,  but  had  an  incomplete  edition  of  Euri- 
pides, (as  the  heads  of  Dublin  university  leave  out  in  their 
course,  Alcestis,  one  of  Euripides'  most  interesting  and 
best  pieces)  and  could  obtain  no  better  in  the  country. 
"  How  do  you  like  it  ?"  said  Mr.  Fox,  entering,  and  well 
pleased  to  think  a  little  about  Euripides,  instead  of  the 
perplexing  state  of  the  continent,  and  the  complicated  dif- 
ficulties at  home ;  "  I  have  just  begun,"  said  I,  "  and 
cannot  tell  yet.'*  "  You  will  find  something  you  will  like  ; 
tell  me  when  you  come  to  it."  I  read  on;  his  servant  was 
dressing  him  ;  he  waited  and  watched  me  attentively : 
when  I  came  to  the  description  of  Alcestis,  I  proceeded 
with  emotion,  till  I  came  to  the  part  so  pathetically  depict 
ing  Alcestis  :   after  praying  for  her  children, 

n^eo'«X'&-g,  xet^isf^tf  text  ^^ota-v^xro." 


And  again, 


"  Ktfritru  Q-nXetf^ov  tiffTriimorx,  iiett  Xt^^s 
iixt^TT^ov,"  &c.  Sec. 


Kvr«  ^1  'x-fo,s7rtmTec"  ficc.  &c. 

I  laid  down  the  book  upon  the  sofa !  Mr.  Fox  looked 
full  of  a  kind  of  satisfaction  on  perceiving  that  I  could 
not  go  on.  In  a  short  time  I  finished  the  description, 
which,  for  pathos  and  exquisite  tenderness,  is,  I  believe, 
unrivalled  in  description ;  it  is  full  of  those  touches  of  na- 
ture, which  no  man  can  mistake,  placing  Alcestis,  and 
every  object  before  us,  in  so  lively  a  manner,  that  he  who 
does  not  sympathize  with  her— he  who  does  not  feel  the 
tear  start  as  he  goes  on,  ought  to  shut  up  Euripides,  learn 
to   grow   richj  and  never  attempt  to  speak  of  the  poets. 


245  Si 

Alcestls  was,  I  think,  Mr.  Fox's  favourite  play  in  this 
favourite  dramatic  author.  In  the  evening  and  next  morn- 
ing we  talked  it  over,  and  I  was  quite  gratified  to  find 
how  much  we  coincided,  as  besides  warmly  admiring  the 
delightful  character  of  Alcestis,  I  concurred  with  him  en- 
tirely as  to  Hercules,  whose  indecent  levity,  subsequent 
compunction,  and  restoration  of  Alcestis  to  the  faithful 
and  afflicted  Admetus,  we  both  thought  admirably  pour- 
trayed  by  Euripides. 

Mr.  Fox's  memory  showed  itself  to  be  peculiarly 
powerful  in  regard  to  the  poets.  He  had  not,  perhaps, 
read  Alcestis,  and,  consequently,  the  admired  passage,  for 
a  long  series  of  years,  and  yet  he  anticipated  the  very  spot 
where  he  expected  me  to  stop,  with  as  much  precision  as 
if  he  had  been  looking  over  my  shoulder.  I  have  seen 
him,  too,  in  speaking  of  Spencer's  Fairy  Queen  and  Tasso, 
turn  to  the  works  of  the  Italian  poet,  and  point  out,  here 
and  there,  lines  and  images,  similiar  to  parts  of  Spencer's 
work,  with  as  much  rapidity  as  if  they  had  been  marked 
out  for  him.  Among  the  ancient  English  poets  he  enter- 
tained a  sincere  veneration  for  Chaucer,  a  poet,  in  tender- 
ness and  natural  description,  resembling  Euripides. 

At  St.  Anne's  the  same  regular  and  happy  life  was 
led  when  Mr.  Fox  was  there,  as  formerly :  with  this  dif- 
ference, that  reading  aloud  in  history  gave  place  to  busi- 
ness. Although  now  the  first  minister  in  England,  I  ne- 
ver observed  in  him  a  wish  to  enlarge  his  little  farm  around 
St.  Anne's,  or  to  exchange  it  for  something  larger  and 
less  modest  :  he  never  thought  of  a  grand  house  in  the 
country,  and  the  utmost  acquisition  he  meditated,  was  a 
small  wood  and  a  rural  cottage,,  for  shooting,  at  a  (4is- 
tance  of  a  mile  and  a  half  from  St.  Anne's.  His  medita- 
tions and  serious  thoughts  were  all  given  to  his  country  ; 
his  lighter  ones  to  his  beloved  authors,  to  St.  Anne's  and 
the  unfading  pleasures  of  the  country.  As  the  season  ad- 
vanced, he  looked  forward,  with  secret  satisfaction,  to  the 


246 


months  when  parliament  hav  ing  risen,  he  would  be  able  to 
spend  more  time  out  of  town. 

As  I  have  restricted  myself  a  great  deal  in  my  present 
work,  from  observations  upon  any  thing  like  a  detailed  ac- 
count of  Mr.  Fox's  ministry,  one  incident  is,  however, 
too  pleasing  an  instance  of  his  equanimity  to  be  withheld.* 
In  a  certain  debate,  Mr.  Canning  had  attacked  him  with  a 
greater  degree  of  acrimony  than  I  thought  becoming,  whe- 
ther Mr.  Fox's  experience,  or  the  former  good  terms  be- 
tween them,  when  Mr.  Canning  was  very  young,  autho- 
rised— ^This  I  heard  in  the  gallery,  and  saw,  with  great 
indignation,  that  the  young  politicians  and  associates, 
whom  Mr.  Fox  had  raised  into  a  participation  of  pov/er 
with  himself,  by  no  means  repelled,  with  proper  spirit, 
the  attack  of  their  taunting,  yet  able,  adversary.  There 
was  something  of  the 

"  Adsum  qui  feci— in  me  convertite  ferrum.'* 

wanting;  and,  in  truth,  I  never  perceived  a  sufficient  ap- 
preciation of  this  great  man  in  that  quarter,  so  as  to  in- 
duce me  to  hold  a  very  high  opinion  of  some  of  his  col- 
leagues. Like  Ajax,  Fox  was  left  with  his  broad  shield 
and  dauntless  arm  to  avert  every  attack, 


*  When  my  readers  consider  that  I  have  waited  five  years  in  the  expectation 
that  some  Avork,  doing  justice  to  Mr.  Fox's  amiable  and  great  qualities,  wouUI 
ajipear,  from  some  pen  capable  of  doing  more  justice  to  him  than  mine,  no  im- 
proper forwardness  will,  I  trust,  be  nOAV  imputed  to  me.  1  happen  to  entertain  an 
exactly  inverse  view  from  that  tal;en  by  the  friends  consulted  by  lord  Holland, 
(vide  thf  end  of  his  preface  to  Historical  Frag?nent)  and  to  think  that  the  his- 
toric remains  should  have  been  delayed,  and  that  the  life,  or  memoir  of  Mr. 
Pox  should  have  been  promptly  brought  out.  The  one  was  not  immediately 
called  for,  and  would  have  appeared  to  more  advantage  after  a  lapse  of  time  : 
the  other  was  anxiously  wished  for  by  eveiy  lover  of  freedom  and  admirer  of 
Fox.  1  regret  much  that  loi-d  Holland  was  induced,  by  any  advice  to  alter  the 
sentiments  he  entertained  when  I  last  conversed  with  him  in  1807,  at  St  Anne's 
Hill.  That  i»oble  and  amiable  character  has  but  to  follow  his  own  clear  and 
candid  conceptions,"  to  render  him  fully  worthv  of  his  great  and  immortal  re- 
lative. 


247 

and  still  his  value  was  not  adequately  recognised.  How  often 
have  I  inwardly  smiled  at  full-blown  vanity,  and  said,  "is 
this  a  worthy  associate  for  Fox  ?"  On  the  night  of  the  debate 
I  allude  to,  Mr.  Fox  took  me  home  with  him.  He  was 
quite  placid  and  cheerful,  as  he  generally  was  ;  and  though 
I  expressed  my  vexation  at  Mr.  Canning's  acrimony,  he 
seemed  perfectly  unruffled  by  it,  and  very  well  pleased  at 
his  majority.  There  was  a  degree  of  majesty  and  com- 
posure that  I  have  often  admired  about  Mr.  Fox,  during 
his  short  ministry  in  1806,  but  never  more  than  highly 
befitting  the  minister  of  a  great  empire,  on  this  occasion, 
when  another  would  have  felt  provoked  at  Mr.  Canning's 
intemperance,  or  at  least  displeased  that  some  of  his  youn- 
ger friends  had  not  repelled  the  attack  with  energy,  and 
even  resentment.  I  am  quite  willing  to  admit  the 
amiable  qualities  and  very  powerful  talents  (the  best,  I 
think,  of  the  Pitt  school)  of  Mr.  Canning ;  I  should  be 
wrong  not  to  acknowledge  a  generosity  of  disposition  in 
him  raising  him  much  above  his  ci-devant  party,  because  I 
have  experienced  it;  but  in  recording  this  incident  concern- 
ing Mr.  Fox,  I  am  sure  he  will  join  with  me  in  admiring 
the  suavity  of  the  man,  and  the  calmness  of  the  minister. 

Every  application  made  to  him  by  old  friends,  or  by 
any  persons  in  middle  life,  to  whom  promises  had  been, 
made,  he  answered  with  benignity  and  promptitude.  Con- 
stancy in  friendship,  and  gratitude  for  services  or  assis- 
tance, were,  indeed,  among  his  greatest  virtues,  and  rare 
ones,  it  must  be  allowed,  in  a  minister  of  state.  Of  this 
a  gentleman  at  the  Irish  bar,  of  much  respectability  and 
talents,  lately  furnished  me  with  a  remarkable  proof.  This 
gentleman  had,  when  at  the  English  bar,  been  useful  to 
Mr.  Fox  respecting  some  election  business.  A  great 
number  of  years  had  elapsed.  The  gentleman  went  to 
Ireland,  and  practised  at  the  Irish  bar.  Upon  Mr.  Fox's 
coming  into  power  in  1806,  he  wrote  over  directly,  ex- 
pressing himself  in  a  very  handsome  manner,  and  inform- 


248 

ing  him   that   he  had  recommended   him  to  the  duke  of 
Bedford's  notice. 

Certainly  no  responsibility  lay  upon  Mr.   Fox  in  this 
gentleman's  case.      The  Irish  whig  party,  by   the  effects 
of  the  union,  had  been  absorbed  into    the   parliament  of 
England,  and  was  no  more  seen   or  heard  of.      I   have 
alluded  to  the    deficiency  as  it  appeared,  and  still  appears 
to  me,  in  Messrs.  Grattan  and    Ponsonby  in   not  making 
terms  for   Ireland,   previous  to  supporting  the  new  minis- 
try.— It   is  there  the  neglect  of  Mr.  Curran  is  to  be  char- 
ged.     Mr.  Grattan  declined  accepting  office  himself.   Mr. 
Ponsonby  made  his  own    terms,   and  became    chancellor, 
while  Mr.    Curran,  who  had  laboured  along  with  ihem  in 
the  same  vocation,  so  long,  and  so  powerfully,  in  defence 
of  Ireland's  rights,  was  left,  by  his  own  party,  unnoticed, 
and  in  no   very  enviable  situation  in  the   hall  of  the  four 
courts  in   Dublin.      As   I  admired   Mr.  Curran's  talents, 
and  thought  him   hardly  used,   I   spoke  very  warmly  and 
strongly  to  Mr.  Fox,  on  my  going  over,  respecting  .him : 
representing  that  it  was  disgraceful  to  a   Foxite  ministry, 
to  pass    by  such  a  man,  and   venturing  to  urge    what  my 
friendship    for    Mr.    Curran    sincerely    prompted.      Mr. 
Fox  heard  me,  as  he  always  did,  (and  it  was  most  rarely 
I  importuned  him  on  any  political  matter,)  with  attention 
and  complacency — was  not  displeased  at  my  earnestness, 
and  said  (though  he  by  no  means  seemed  to  think  it  to  be 
quite   an  easy  matter,)  "  Yes,  yes,  Curran  must  be  taken 
care  of."     There  is  nothing  more  obvious  in  an  attentive 
examination  of  Mr.   Fox's  character,  than  that  singleness 
of  heart,  and  decided  line  of  conduct,  which  impelled  him 
to  do  what  was  right,  without  at  all  considering  the  prej- 
udices of  others.     The  Irish  party  of  ci-devant  whigs,  had 
clearly  left  Mr.   Curran  out  of   their  calculations;     or, 
from    their  making  no  previous    stipulations,  were  unable 
to  protect  his    interests.      Mr.   Fox,  guided  by   the  recti- 
tude and  generosity  of  his  mind,  desired  that  justice  should 
be  done,  and  as  there  was  difficulty  and  objections  in  Mr. 


249 


Curran's  case,  without  Mr.  Fox,  his  subsequent  elevation 
would  have  been  uncertain. 

While  Mr.  Fox  thus  appears  contented  and  moderate, 
constant  and  affectionate  to  old  friends,  and  attached  to  his 
books  and  the  country,  just  as  when  he  filled  a  private 
station,  he  also  evinced  a  noble  disinterestedness  about  his 
family  and  connexions ;  he  sought  neither  place  nor  pen- 
sion for  them  on  coming  into  office ;  he  secured  no  rever- 
sions, or  sinecures  for  himself  or  them,  and  not  a  view  or 
thought  of  his  mind  tended  to  his  own  or  family's  aggran- 
dizement. A  beloved  and  most  deserving  nephew,  highly 
gifted  in  point  of  talent ;  liberal  and  of  congenial  mind  to 
himself,  lord  Holland,  was  without  situation,  and  his  uncle 
the  first  minister,  as  well  as  genius  in  the  empire.  Disin- 
terestedness consists  of  two  branches,  taking  nothing  for 
selfish  purposes,  and  sacrificing  personal  feelings  for  the 
good  of  others.  Mr.  Fox  evinced  disinterestedness  in 
both  respects,  and  it  was  quite  impossible  to  conceive  any 
thing  more  devoid  of  selfish  or  ambitious  ideas,  than  the 
feelings  of  that  great  man's  mind. 

On  returning  from  St.  Anne's  Hill,  he  resumed  his  oc- 
cupations at  the  office  with  greater  alacrity  and  steadiness. 
He  received  the  foreign  ministers  with  dignity  and  affa- 
bility, and  they  found  the  asperities  of  the  preceding  min- 
istry soften  into  a  wise  system  of  conciliation,  whilst  the 
genuine  energy  of  genius  began  to  create  new  sentiments 
of  respect  in  their  courts  for  England.  Mildness  of  tem- 
per had  taken  place  of  domineering ;  and  foreign  courts, 
which  had  revolted  at  the  imperious  tone  of  a  bully,  suf- 
fered themselves  to  be  persuaded  like  friends,  and  argued 
with  as  equals. 

At  the  English  foreign  office,  I  found  myself  in  a  very 
different  situation  from  that  at  the  Bureau  des  Affaires 
Etrangeres^  at  Paris.  There  we  reviewed  past  transactions 
in  the  extraordinary  time  of  the  Stuarts   and  Louis  XIV. 


250 


and  contemplated  the  final  result  in  the  just  humiliation  of 
Louis,  under  William  and  Anne,  with  unfeigned  pleasure. 
Here  I  could  only  review  a  series  of  blunders,  as  I  cast 
my  eye  over  the  map  of  Europe,  and  on  the  list  of  foreign 
courts,  to  which  I^ngland  had  once  sent  ambassadors.  In 
one  case,  a  despot  had  been  gloriously  repressed ;  and  when 
all  the  rational  purposes  of  war  had  been  fulfilled,  peace 
had  given  repose  to  Europe :  in  the  latter,  a  frantic  at- 
tempt had  been  made  to  dismember,  and  new  model  a  great 
nation,  whose  efforts  for  self-preservation,  sublime  but  ter- 
rible, had  reacted  upon  Europe,  and  fatally  injured  her 
just  balance  and  distribution  of  power.  How  different 
were  the  results,  when  William  the  Third,  comprehensive 
^nd  magnanimous,  directed  the  affairs  of  Great  Britain, 
from  those  attending  the  ministry  of  Mr.  William  Pitt ! 


CHAPTER  IIL 


UNDER  the  auspices  of  Mr.  Fox,  England  had  her 
best  chance  of  a  favourable  and  honourable  peace.  It 
would  be  needless  to  investigate  whether  the  incident 
which  gave  rise  to  the  overtures  was  contrived  by  the 
French  government,  or  was  one  of  those  affairs  familiar  to 
governments,  of  which  Mr.  Fox  made  a  noble  and  judi- 
cious use.  When  two  great  nations  need  repose,  neither  is 
degraded  by  making  the  first  proposal,  or  by  seeking  to 
adjust  their  differences,  and  lay  down  their  arms.  Mr.  Fox 
saw  precious  moments  passing  away,  and  the  states  of 
Europe  becoming  daily  more  enfeebled,  by  their  contests 
with  France.  He  knew  that  the  natural  resources  of  Eng- 
land enabled  her  to  defy  every  danger  in  time  of  peace, 
and  as  it  was  part  of  his  character  not  to  fear  remote  pos- 
sibilities, he  thought  the  present  and  positive  good,  result- 
ing from  diminished  expenditure,  the  correction  of  abuses 
at  home,  and  a  grand  system  of  liberal  European  politics 
upon  the  continent,  would  counterbalance  the  increasing 
power  of  France,  and  that,  in  fact,  it  was  by  war  she  had 
grown  great,  and  by  war  she  would  grow  greater. 

The  negotiation  which  ensued  was  a  singular  spectacle 
for  Europe.     Fox  and  Talleyrand*— the  most  able  men 


252 

in  their  respective  countries,  in  foreign  affairs — ^were 
matched  in  the  grand  struggle  to  procure  advantages  for 
their  countries,  and  to  make  a  peace  honourable  to  both. 
It  is  the  common  mistake  in  England,  that  the  Frenfth  are 
insincere,  and  of  this  Mr.  Pitt  had  profitted  successfully 
in  his  coalition  wars :  it  is,  therefore,  usual,  even  with 
English  governments,  to  doubt  of  the  sincerity  of  France, 
and  to  cast  the  imputation  of  insincerity  on  her,  at  the  end 
of  every  unsuccessful  negotiation.  I  am  of  opinion,  that 
even  in  common  life  an  overweening  degree  of  suspicion 
is  of  injurious  consequence,  that  it  irritates  and  alienates 
to  a  great  degree,  and  places  parties  in  a  state  of  repulsion, 
hostile  to  their  peace  and  good  understanding.  It  is  still 
more  dangerous,  as  the  mischief  is  more  extensive  when 
this  disposition  separates  nations. 

I  believe  the  French  government  was  sincere,  in  1806, 
in  their  wish  for  peace,  as  all  my  observations  in  the  year 
1802,  in  France,  confirmed  me  in  the  idea,  that  not  only 
the  people  but  the  government  were  sincerely  inclined  to 
preserve  a  good  understanding  with  Great  Britain,  until 
the  first  consul  became  irritated  at  the  constant  attacks 
upon  him  in  the  English  journals. 

But  when  Mr.  Pitt  was  no  more,  he,  whose  measures 
htid  so  plainly  been  directed  not  merely  against  the  rank 
and  consequence,  but  against  the  very  existence  of  the 
French  people,  a  great  cause  of  alienation  from  Great  Bri- 
tain was  removed,  and  those  angry  feelings,  which  are  ex- 
cited against  an  arrogant  persecutor,  were  buried  in  his 
tomb.  Besides,  Mr.  Fox,  whose  generous  and  sincere 
nature,  acknowledged  love  of  peace,  and  great  capacity, 
were  well  known  to  the  French  nation  and  government, 
was  placed  at  the  helm,  and  they  had  reason  to  expect 
manly  and  dignified  discussion,  instead  of  captious  or  im- 
perious cavilling  in  a  negotiation.  Lord  Grenville  unfor- 
tunately was  joined  with  Mr.  Fox,  indeed,  but  even  the 
co-operation  of  that  minister,  so  memorably  unconciliating 


ass 

in  the  department  for  foreign  affairs  at  the  commencement 
of  the  war  with  France,  was  forgotten,  under  the  idea 
that  he  had  acted  a  subordinate  part  to  Mr.  Pitt,  and  that 
the  happier  temper  of  Mr.  Fox  would  produce  better 
feelings. 

As  the 'negotiation  proceeded,  Mr.  Fox  showed  great 
anxiety,  not  that  of  a  politician  anxious  to  gain  credit  for 
successful  measures,  but  of  a  man  deeply  impressed  with 
a  regard  for  the  interests  of  suffering  humanity.  I  do  not 
say  that  he  expected,  as  it  advanced,  that  it  would  arrive 
at  a  happy  termination.  Mr.  Pitt,  whose  unfortunate  and 
old  system  had  been  revived  after  the  truce  of  1802,  had 
rendered  pacification  nearly  impossible.  He  had  so  much 
further  involved  and  injured  the  continent,  particularly 
Russia,  by  persevering  in  his  plans,  which  no  experience 
could  correct,  no  time  or  irrevocable  events  could  enlight- 
en, that  England,  in  1 806,  with  Mr.  Fox  at  the  head  of 
her  councils,  saw  herself  incapable  of  including  the  inte- 
rests of  the  continent,  as  was  desirable,  along  with  her 
own.  The  losses  of  Russia  hurried  her  into  a  hasty  treaty. 
No  other  formidable  power  remained  unbroken,  that  could 
join  with  her,  and,  by  its  additional  weight,  make  the  scale 
preponderate  against,  or  balance  that  of  France. 

Mr.  Fox's  exalted  name  was  beneficial  indeed  to  Eng- 
land :  he  knew  the  character  of  the  French  emperor,  too, 
and  was  himself  personally  respected  and  esteemed  by  the 
government  of  France  ;  but  this  was  a  feeble  substitute 
for  the  weight  of  an  allied  power.  England  and  France 
were  thus  brought  to  the  work  of  peace  single-handed.  The 
acute,  ingenious,  and  penetrating  mind  of  Talleyrand,  was 
supported  by  the  vast  advantages  gained  by  France,  and 
confirmed  by  the  dangerous  prolongation  of  war- — the 
mild,  argumentative,  and  commanding  energy  of  Fox, 
was  unabashed  by  such  superiority  ;  yet  the  great  nation, 
whose  interests  he  guarded,  required  high  terms  to  satisfy 
it,  and  with  Roman  magnanimity,  was  willing,    involved, 


2U 

as  she  had  been,  by  a  rash  and  inexperienced  minister,  to 

perish,  rather  than  compromise  her  dignity,   or  descend 
from  her  rank. 

As  the  negotiation  went  on,  Mr.  Fox  evinced  less  hope* 
He  was,  however,  doing  his  duty,  and  a  fortunate,  opportu- 
nity at  least,  was  afforded  him  of  presenting  to  England  and 
Europe  his  character  in  all  its  grandeur,  purity,  and  benevo- 
lence, on  a  scale  adequate  to  admit  of  its  full  expansion. 
Who  can  read  his  expressions  to  Talleyrand,  ending  one 
of  his  early  despatches,  unmoved.  "  Let  us,"  said  this  in- 
comparable minister,  "  endeavour  to  do  what  we  can  for 
the  glory  and  interests  of  our  countries,  and  for  the  happi- 
ness of  the  human  race  !"  It  is  here  that  the  genius  of 
Fox  bursts  out  with  a  splendour  at  once  brilliant  and 
warm.  His  great  heart  yearning  for  the  good  of  his  fel- 
low-creatures, swelled  as  he  wrote ;  and,  pregnant  with 
every  sentiment  worthy  of  a  statesman,  a  citizen,  and  a 
christain,  inspired  his  pen  with  lines  that,  if  inscribed  on 
on  his  tomb,  would  alone  entitle  him  to  immortal  renown, 
the  gratitude  of  his  country,  and  the  veneration  of  Europe. 
But  a  fatal  change  was  at  hand  ! 

Oh,  readers  b  when  I  anticipate  the  mournful  scenes 
which  followed^— the  cold  shuddering  which  seizes  me, 
the  stealing  teir  which  falls — unfit  me  for  my  task  !  If 
the  minister  is  forgotten  in  the  friend,  those  who  value 
the  endearing  ties  of  domestic  life,  and  the  mild  virtues, 
which  adorn  it,  will  pardon  an  expression  of  anguish 
when  I'recoUett  what  Fox  was,  and  that  he  is  now  no 
more  ! 


CHAPTER  IV. 


ABOUT  the  end  of  May,  Mrs.  Fox  mentioned 
slightly  to  me  that  Mr.  Fox  was  unwell ;  but  at  this  time 
there  was  no  alarm  or  apprehension.  In  the  beginning  of 
June  I  received  a  message  from  her,  requesting  me  to 
come  to  Mr.  Fox,  as  he  had  expressed  a  wish  for  me  to 
read  to  him,  if  I  was  disengaged.  It  was  in  the  evening, 
and  I  found  him  reclining  upon  a  couch,  uneasy  and 
languid.  It  seemed  to  me  so  sudden  an  attack,  that  I 
was  surprised  and  shocked.  He  requested  me  to  read 
some  of  the  iEneid  to  him,  and  desired  me  to  turn  to 
the  fourth  book:  this  was  his  favourite  part.  The 
tone  of  melancholy  with  which  that  inimitable  book  com- 
mences, was  pleasing  to  his  mind  :  he  enjoyed  the  reading 
much.  Dido  was  his  most  admired  character  in  the 
iEneid.     I   have  often  heard  him  repeat  with  animation, 

"  Nee  tibi  diva  parens,  generis  nee  Dardanus  auctoi', 
Perfide :  sed  duris  genuit  te  cautibus  horrers 
Caucasus,  Hyrcanaque  admorunt  ubera  tigres. 
Nam  quid  dissimulo,  aut  quse  me  ad  majora  reserve  ? 
Num  fletu  ingerauit  nostro  ?  num  lumina  flexit  ? 
Num  lacryraas  victus  dedit,  aut  miseratus  amaiitem  «st  ?" 


256 

The  same  sort  of  indignant  burst  he  admired  in  this  charac- 
ter, pourtrayed  by  Metastasio  so  happily  ;  and  I  havt  b  ard 
Mftlso  dwell  upon,  and  repeat,  that  part  of  Dido's  speech,  him 


"  Ecco,  la  foglia"  &c.  &c. 


with  the  same  feeling.  I  read  this  evening  to  him  the 
chief  part  of  the  fourth  book.  He  appeared  relieved,  and 
to  forget  his  uneasiness  and  pains ;  but  I  felt  this  recur- 
rence to  Virgil  as  a  mournful  omen  of  a  great  attack 
upon  his  system,  and  that  he  was  already  looking  to  ab- 
stract himself  from  noise  and  tumult,  and  politics.  Hence- 
forth his  illness  rapidly  increased,  and  was  pronounced  a 
dropsy  !  I  have  reason  to  think  that  he  turned  his 
thoughts  very  soon  to  retirement  at  St.  Anne's  Hill,  as  he 
found  the  pressure  of  business  insupportably  harassing,  and 
I  have  ever  had  in  mind  those  lines,  as  very  applicable  to 
him  at  this  timt  : 

"  And  as  a  hare,  whom  hounds  and  horns  pursue. 
Pa:  8  'r, the  g  a, from  whence  at  first  *e  fle;  , 
I  siii,  had  hoi>f  s — my  long  vexations  past,    . 
Jlere  to  return^  and  die  at  last." 

Another  of  those  symptoms  of  melancholy  foreboding, 
I  thought,  was  shown  in  his  manner  at  Holland  house. 
Mrs.  Fox,  he,  and  I,  drove  there  several  times  before  his 
illness  confined  him,  and  when  exercise  was  strongly  urg- 
ed. He  looked  around  him  the  last  day  he  was  there 
with  a  farewell  tenderness  that  struck  me  very  much. 
It  was  the  place  where  he  had  spent  his  youthful  days. 
Every  lawn,  garden,  tree,  and  walk,  were  viewed  by  him 
with  peculiar  affection.  He  pointed  out  its  beauties  to 
i«e,  and  in  particular  showed  me  a  green  lane  or  avenue, 
which  his  mother,  the  late  lady  Holland,  had  made  by 
shutting  up  a  road.  He  was  a  very  ^exquisite  judgt  of 
the  picturesque,  and  had  mentioned  to  me  how  beautiful 


257 


this  road  had  become,  since  converted  into  an  alley.  Pie 
raised  his  eyes  in  the  house,  looked  around,  and  was 
earnest  in  pointing  out  every  thing  he  liked  and  remem*^^ 
bered. 

Soon,  however,  his  illness  very  alarmingly  Increased : 
he  suffered  pains,  and  often  rose  from  dinner  with  intole- 
rable fuffering.  His  temper  never  changed,  and  was 
always  serene  and  sweet :  it  was  amazing  to  behold  so 
much  distressing  anguish,  and  so  great  equanimity. 
His  friends,  alarmed,  crowded  round  him,  as  well  as  those 
relatives  who,  in  a  peculiar  degree,  knew  his  value  and 
affectionate  nature.  His  colleagues  frequently  consulted 
with  him.  The  garden  of  the  house  at  Stable  Yard, 
(since  the  duke  of  York's)  was  daily  filled  with  anxious 
enquirers.  The  foreign  ambassadors,  or  ministers,  or 
private  friends  of  Mr.  Fox,  walked  there,  eager  to  know 
his  state  of  health,  and  to  catch  at  the  hope  of  amendment. 
As  he  grew  worse,  he  ceased  to  go  out  in  his  carriage,  and 
vv^as  drawn  in  a  garden  chair  at  times  round  the  walks. 
I  have  myself  drawn  him  whilst  the  Austrian  ambassador, 
prince  Staremburgh,  conversed  with  him ;  his  manners 
was  as  easy,  and  his  mind  as  penetrating  and  as  vigorous 
as  ever  ,*  and  he  transacted  business  in  this  way,  though 
heavily  oppressed  by  his  disorder,  with  perfect  facility. 

General  Fitzpatrick,  lord  Robert  Spencer,  and  lord 
Fitzwilliam,  almost  constantly  dined  and  spent  the  even- 
ing with  him.  Among  all  his  friends,  none  was  more 
attached  to  him,  or  more  cherished  in  return  by  Mr.  Fox, 
than  lord  Fitzwilliam.  This  nobleman,  in  many  points 
of  character,  approximated  to  Mr.  Fox  :  mild  and  bene- 
volent— dignified  and  unassuming — with  nothing  of  the 
effeminacy  of  nobility  about  him  :  a  warm  and  unshaken 
friend,  redeeming  his  aberration  of  politics  by  a  noble 
return  to  the  great  man,  whose  opinions  on  the  French 
war  had  proved  to  be  so  correct — lord  Fitzwilliam 
though  less  noticed,  has  more  of  the  genuine    statesmar 

2  K 


258 


than  lords  Grenville  or  Grey,  and  in  mind  and  manner 
resembled  Mr.  Fox  more  than  any  other  of  his  colleagues. 
His  unremitting  and  tender  solitude  for  Mr.  Fox's  health 
was  that  of  a  brother. 

The  prince  of  Wales  at  this  time  showed  all  the  marks 
of  a  feeling  heart,  and  of  great  constancy  in  friendship, 
more  honourable  to  him  than  the  high  station  he  adorned. 
Almost  every  day  he  called  and  saw  Mr.  Fox.    There  was 
no  affectation  in  his  visits ;  the  countenance  full  of  good- 
natured  concern — the  manner  expressive  of  lively  interest 
— the  softened  voice  evinced  that  not  all  the  splendor,  the 
flattery,  or  pleasures  of  a  court,  had  changed  the  brightest 
feature  in  the  human  character — attention   to  a  sick   and 
drooping  friend.    Posterity,  I  trust,  will  receive  his  pub- 
lic character  as  a  great  king — the  lover  of  his  people— the 
protector  of  liberty,  and  defender  of  the  laws — as  bright, 
if  not  brighter,  than  that  of  any  of  his  predecessors ;  but 
if  his  affectionate  solicitude  about  the  great  statesman  then 
struggling  under  a  cruel  disease,  and  the  constancy  of  his 
friendship  to  Fox,  even  till  the  last  glimmering   spark   of 
life  was  extinct,  were  the  only  traits  recorded  of  him,  pos- 
terity will  say  this  was  a  great  prince,  a  faithful  friend, 
and  possessed  of  a  feeling,  uncorrupted  heart!   When  the 
prince  was  out  of  town,  as  also  when  Mr.  Fox  removed, 
and  he  saw  him  no  more,  I  wrote  daily  to  his  royal  high- 
ness, at  his   own  desire,  giving  minute  and  constant  ac- 
counts  of  the  invalid's  health,  till  the    melancholy  scene 
was  closed  ! 

The  whok  royal  family  manifested  respect  and  sympa- 
thy for  this  great  patriot,  and  the  dukes  of  Clarence  and 
York  called  in  person  to  inquire  in  regard  to  his  health. 
But  as  his  illness  grew  more  violent,  he  saw  fewer  visitors. 
Lord  Holland,  with  filial  affection  and  attention,  seldom 
left  his  uncle.  Miss  Fox,  his  lordship's  sister,  who  was 
much  beloved  by  Mr,  Fox,  and  whose  candid  and  amiable 
mind,  superior  accomplishments,  and  sincere  attachment 


259 

to  the  cause  of  humanity  and  liberty,  rendered  her  worthy 
of  the  love  of  such  a  relative,  was  unremitting  in  her  at- 
tendance. 

Mrs.  Fox,  whose  unwearied  attentions  were  the  chief 
comfort  of  the  sufferer  and  myself,  read  aloud  a  great  deal 
to  him.  Crabb's  poems  in  manuscript  pleased  him  a  great 
deal,  in  particular,  the  little  episode  of  Phosbe  Dawson, 
He  did  not,  however,  hear  them  all  read,  and  there  are 
parts  in  which  he  would  have  suggested  alterations.  We 
thus  read,  relieving  each  other,  a  great  number  of  novels 
to  him. 

He  now  saw  very  few  persons.  At  one  singular  inter- 
view I  was  at  this  time  present.  Mr.  Sheridan  wished  to 
see  Mr.  Fox,  to  which  the  latter  reluctantly  consented, 
requesting  lord  Grey  to  remain  in  the  room.  The  meeting 
vv-as  short  and  unsatisfactory.  Mr.  Fox,  with  more  cold- 
ness than  I  ever  saw  him  assume  to  any  one,  spoke  but  a 
few  words.  Mr.  Sheridan  was  embarrassed,  and  little 
passed,  but  mere  words  of  course.  I  have  related  this 
circumstance  in  order  to  show  the  sincerity  of  Mr.  Fox's 
nature,  and  to  disprove  the  false  idea  that  latterly  any  par- 
ticular intimacy  subsisted  between  Mr.  Fox,  and  that 
celebrated  orator. 

A  few  days  after,  he  received  Mr.  Grattan,  in  a  very 
different  manner ;  warm  and  friendly  to  a  great  degree. 
Mr.  G.  was  leaving  England,  and  never  saw  Mr.  Fox 
again.  I  am  sure,  had  Mr.  Grattan  known  him  better; 
had  he  been  fully  aware  of  the  noble  independence  of  his 
character;  how  thoroughly  he  loved  liberty;  and  how 
truly  he  despised  party,  that  he  would  himself  have  held, 
subsequently,  a  different  course,  and  either  have  retired 
from  parliament  (without  Fox  it  being  to  him  a  hopeless 
scene)  or  have  stood  aloof  from  the  Grenville  and  Grey 
party.  In  either  case  that  great  and  amiable  man  would 
have  shown  himself  far  more   worthy  the  friendship   of 


260 

Mr.  Fox,  and  would  have  stood  much  higher  in  the  pages 
of  history. 

As  his  disorder  increased,  the  operation  of  tapping  was 
performed,  which  he  bore  with  great  calmness  and  reso- 
lution.  In  the  mean  time  the  negotiation  with  France  was 
proceeding  :   in  the  commencement   of  his  illness  he  had 
dictated  the  despatches,  but  he  was  no  longer  equal  to  the 
conduct  of  it,   and  the   appointment  of  lord  Lauderdale 
was  one  of  the  last  of  his  acts  in  that  affair.  This  negotia- 
tion, as  is  well  known,  assumed  a  different  aspect,  when 
the  genius  of  Fox  no  longer  directed  it :  it  may  be  allow- 
ed to  be  said,  that  to  conduct  such  an  affair  to  a  successful 
result,  much  temper,  much  conciliation,  and  an  oblivion  of 
unhappy  and  irremediable  events  in  Europe,  were  all  re- 
quired, in  order  to  meet  the  French  negotiators  upon  pro- 
per ground.  All  these  Mr.  Fox  possessed  ;  it  is  to  be  fear- 
ed his  virtual  successor,   lord  Grenville,  wanted  them  ! 
He  was,  in  many  respects,  an  unfortunate  person  to  suc- 
ceed Mr.  Fox,  in  negotiating  with   France.     Lord  Gren- 
ville may  be  deemed  an   able   debater,  a   man   of   sound 
sense,  and  correct  and   indefatigable  in  business  ;   but  the 
grand  qualities  of  genius — that  sensibility,    which   appre- 
ciates the  feelings  and  wants  of  others,  and  meets  the  just 
demands  of  humanity  half  way,  that  intuitive  glance  which 
comprehends  time  and  place,  and  regulates  a  complicated 
affair  by  a  stroke  of  the  pen,  were  not  his !   Besides,   he 
had  been  concerned   in  almost  all  the  unsuccessful  wars 
and  negotiations  of    Mr.  Pitt !  The  French  nation,  under 
an  emperor,  could  not  soon  forget  the  insults  offered  to 
the  repuljlic.    A  negotiation  which  was   exceedingly  com- 
plicated in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Fox,  in  those  of  lord  Gren- 
ville was  sure  to  fail!   That  great  man  himself  began  to 
entertain  feeble   hopes   of    its   success;   but  1  apprehend, 
had  he  lived,  he  v.'oukl  have  surmounted  every  difficulty, 
and  he  was  not  htmself  aware  of  half  the  respect  and  vene- 
ration entertained  for  his   character   upon  the   continent. 
No  one  will  deny  that  the  best  probability  of  peace  was 


261 


destroyed,  when  Mr.  Fox  became  unable  to  direct  the  ne- 
gotiation. 

On  recovering  the  first  operation  of  tapping  he  began  to 
wish  much  to  leave  town.  In  truth,  he  had  now  every 
reason  to  do  so  ;  visitors  fatigued  and  oppressed  him.  He 
languished  for  St.  Anne's  Hill,  and  there  all  his  hopes  and 
wishes  centred :  he  thought  of  a  private  life,  and  of  re- 
signing his  office,  and  we  had  hopes  that  he  might  be  re- 
stored sufficiently  to  enjoy  health  by  abstaining  from  busi- 
ness. The  duke  of  Devonshire  offered  him  the  use  of 
Chiswick  house  as  a  resting  place,  from  whence  if  he 
gained  strength  enough,  he  might  proceed  to  St.  Anne*s. 
Preparations  for  his  departure  began,  therefore,  to  be 
made,  which  he  saw  with  visible  and  unfeigned  pleasure. 

Two  or  three  days  before  he  was  removed  to  Chiswick 
house,  Mr.  Fox  sent  for  me,  and  with  marked  hesitation 
and  anxiety,  as  if  he  much  wished  it,  and  yet  was  unwil- 
ling to  ask  it,  informed  me  of  his  plan  of  going  to  Chis- 
wick house,  requesting  me  to  form  one  of  the  family  there. 
There  was  no  occasion  to  request  me ;  duty,  affection,  and 
gratitude,  would  have  carried  me  wherever  he  went. 
About  the  end  of  July,  Mrs.  Fox  and  he  went  there,  and 
on  the  following  day  I  joined  them. 

I  was  nearly  as  much  struck  on  entering  the  beautiful 
and  classic  villa  of  tlie  duke  of  Devonshire,  at  Mr.  Fox's 
appearance,  as  I  had  been  when  I  saw  him  first  at  St. 
Anne's  Hill.  The  change  of  air  and  scene  had  already 
benefitted  him.  I  found  him  walking  about  and  looking  at 
the  pictures ;  he  wore  a  morning  gown,  his  air  was  pecu- 
liarly noble  and  august ;  it  was  the  Roman  consul  or  sena- 
tor retired  from  the  tumult  of  a  busy  city,  and  enjoying 
the  charms  of  rural  retirement,  surrounded  by  the  choicest 
productions  of  art.  All  care  seemed  removed  from  his 
mind  ;  his  soul  expatiated  on  something  sublime,  and  Mr. 
Fox  stood  before  mt  in  a  nev/,  and  I  may  truly  say  awful, 


262 


point  of  view ;  as  a  christian  philosopher,  abstracted  from 
the  world,  having  taken  a  long  farewell  of  it ;  serene, 
composed,  cheerful,  and  willing,  as  long  as  he  remained, 
to  be  pleased  with  life,  participating  in  social  converse 
with  the  same  ease  as  if  his  latter  moments  were  far  dis- 
tant. Never  could  Cicero,  that  great  and  worthy  man  re- 
tired to  his  Tusculan  villa,  and  deploring  the  situation  of 
tin  almost  ruined  republic,  appear  more  interesting  or  more 
grand.  The  scenery  around,  where  every  thing  looked 
classic  and  Roman,  conspired  much  to  render  Mr.  Fox 
more  interesting  at  this  period  than  any  of  his  life.  He 
received  me  with  great  complacency  and  kindnesss,  and 
seemed  to  desire  nothing  but  the  society  of  Mrs.  Fox  and 
myself. 

The  days  and  evenings  were  now  devoted  to  reading 
aloud,  Palamon  and  Arcite,  improved  by  Dryden  ;  John- 
son's lives  of  the  poets ;  the  ^neid,  and  Swift's  poetry. 
He  found,  also,  great  pleasure  in  showing  me  the  pictures 
of  Belisarius,  &c.  which  adorn  the  delightful  villa  at 
Chiswick,  and  also  the  gardens  and  grounds.  There 
was  a  bevolence  in  this  I  well  understood;  Mr.  Fox 
Icnew  mankind  well,  and  whilst  the  busy  stir  of  politics 
were  alluring,  and  inciting  others  to  pursue  new  plans, 
and  to  look  to  new  patrons  and  friends,  he  desired  that  I 
should  find  every  thing  pleasant  in  our  new  abode  to 
compensate  for  seclusion,  and  attendance  on  an  invalid. 
In  fact,  the  delicacy  and  tenderness  of  his  mind  were  un- 
paralleled, and,  in  one  peculiar  respect,  I  always  observed 
him  to  be,  at  all  times,  above  what  are  called  great  men, 
inasmuch  as  friendship  with  him  levelled  all  distinctions, 
and  constantly  led  him  to  consult  the  wants  and  feelings 
of  his  friend  on  the  equal  ground  of  human  rights. 

As  I  drew  him  round  Chiswick  garden,  alternately 
with  a  servant,  his  conversation  was  pleasant  and  always 
instructive ;  chiefly  directed  to  objects  of  natural  history, 
bptany,  he.  kc.     A  shade  of  melancholy  sometimes  stole 


263 

across  his  countenance,  when  objects  reminded  him  of 
the  late  dutchess  of  Devonshire.  At  times,  Mrs.  Fox  or 
Miss  Fox,  walked  along  with  the  chair ;  his  character 
was,  as  at  St.  Anne's  Hill,  ever  amiable  and  domestic. 
One  day,  when  he  was  fatigued,  we  entered  the  small 
study  on  the  ground-floor  at  Chiswick  house,  where  he 
called  for  a  volume  of  Swift,  out  of  which  he  requested 
me  to  read  one  of  his  inimitably  playful  and  humorous 
pieces  of  poetry.  I  yet  see  him  in  this  small  room  smiling 
at  the  ludicrous  images  and  keen  touches  of  Swift ! 

He  now  ceased  entirely  to  look  at,  or  to  desire  to  hear, 
newspapers  read,  and  took  little  interest  in  a  negotiation, 
which,  before  he  left  town,  he  considered  as  rather  hope- 
less.     Lord  Lauderdale  was  now  in  Paris,  but  he  was  no 
longer  guided  by  Fox.      I  do  not  impute  to  his  lordship 
either  want  of  talent  or  inclination  to  bring  things  to  a 
happy  issue,  but  rather  infer,  that  unless   England  aban- 
dons the  Pittite  style  in  diplomatique  matters,  all  her  ne- 
gotiations will  be  difficult  or  fruitless.   Happily  an  accom- 
plished gentleman,  as  well  as  dignified  prince,  now  at  the 
helm  of  affairs,  gives  room  to   think  that  the  spirit  and 
conciliating  manners  of  Fox  will  return,  to  inspire  and 
regulate  ambassadors  and  ministers.      As  this  is  a  con- 
sideration of  great  moment,  and  appertains  to  no  party, 
it  is  well  deserving  the  attention  of  the   English  govern- 
ment;   for  the   time  must  arrive  when  negotiation  will 
take  place,  ambassadors  be  appointed,  and  treaties  be  made 
with  France.      Nor  will  the  sovereign,  who  carefully  su- 
perintends a  negotiation  himself,  who  weighs  every  diffi- 
culty, and,  where  he  can,  softens  asperities,  discharge  a 
light  or  unimportant  duty  to  the  people  placed  under  his 
care  !   Happily,  too,  it  is  no  longer  the  system  of  foreign 
aggression  and  insult  followed  by  Mr.  Pitt,  but  one  which, 
whatever  may  have  been  the  fault  of  ministers,  the  Eng- 
lish   nation    have   been    plunged    into   without   error   on 
their  part,  and  must  now,  perhaps,  continue  as  well  they 
can. 


CHAPTER  V 


MR.  FOX  began  to  long  for  St  Anne's  Hill,  and 
preparations  were  making  there  for  his  reception,  when 
we  perceived,  with  sorrow,  that  his  disorder  was  return- 
ing with  redoubled  violence.  We  had  indulged  in  that 
delusion  into  which  hope  leads  her  votaries  in  the  most 
desperate  cases ;  and  in  proportion  to  the  increased  love, 
esteem,  and  admiration,  which  Mr.  Fox  inspired,  we 
clung  more  anxiously  to  the  pleasing  symptoms,  which 
threw  a  gleam  of  joy  over  the  prospect,  and  we  endeavour- 
ed to  close  our  eyes  upon  what  was  threatening  and  un- 
pleasant. An  alarming  drowsiness  crept  frequently  upon 
him,  and  he  again  evidently  increased  in  size.  At  this 
period,  I  well  recollect  his  again  recurring  to  the  ^-Eneid ; 
and  I  then  read,  at  his  desire,  the  fourth  book  two  or  three 
times:  on  these  evenings  he  occasionally  dosed,  but  I  con- 
tinued my  reading,  happy  by  the  sound  of  my  voice,  to 
contribute  to  a  longer  oblivion  of  his  pains  and  uneasiness, 
which  again  became  very  great.  As  he  would  awake, 
liis  attention  caught  the  part  I  read ;  by  his  great  memory, 
he  easily,  supplied  what  he  had  lost,  and  he  never  de- 
sired me  to  return  and  read  any  passage  again.      The  ad- 


265 


mirable  picture  of  a  distressed  mind  with  which  that  book 
opens,  seemed  to  describe,  in  some  manner,  his  own  rest- 
less uneasiness ;  and  in  hearing  of  the  woes  and  death  of 
the  unfortunate  Dido,  he  forgot,  for  a  little,  the  cruel 
pains  which  afflicted  himself.  That  beautiful  and  affect- 
ing picture  of  a  lingering  and  painful  illness,  was  but  too 
faithful  a  portrait  of  his  own  situation. 

**  Ilia  gravis  oculos  conata  adtollere,  rursus 
Deficit.    Infixum  stridit  sub  pectore  volnus. 
Ter  sese  adtoUens,  cubitoque  adnixa  levavit : 
Ter  revoluta  toro  est,  oculisque  errantibus  alto 
Qasesivit  ocoio  lucem,  ingemuitque  repei'ta." 

He  no  longer  was  equal  to  getting  into  the  garden  chair, 
and  all  our  little  social  excursions  round  the  grounds  of 
this  seat  were  stopped.  He  soon  also  became  unable  to 
go  out  in  the  carriage,  and  the  gathering  gloom,  which 
darkened  all  our  hopes,  daily  increased. 

The  multitude  of  letters  from  individuals  in  England, 
Scotland,  and  Ireland,  which  daily  poured  in,  and  many 
even  from  the  lowest  classes,  giving  information  of  dif- 
ferent remedies  for  the  dropsy,  were  amazing.  I  an- 
swered them,  as  long  as  it  was  in  my  power,  but  the  num- 
ber was  so  great,  that,  consistent  with  the  attention  requi- 
site to  Mr.  Fox,  I  found  it  impossible  to  do  so.  The 
interest  excited  was  quite  of  a  sincere  and  affectionate 
kind,  and  proved  to  me  that  as  no  man  had  merited  it 
better,  so  no  one  had  ever  possessed  the  love  and  confi- 
dence of  the  people  in  the  same  degree  as  Mr.  Fox. 
He  was  gratified  by  this  sincere  and  unaffected  mark  of 
regard,  and  wished,  as  far  as  was  possible,  the  letters  to 
be  acknowledged  with  thanks.  Here,  in  truth,  was  the 
statesman's  true  reward — the  approbation  and  gratitude  of 
the  people — here  was  honour  which  wealth  could  not  pur* 
chase,  or  rank,  or  power !  here  was  the  tribute  due,  and 
paid,  to  the  inestimable  character  the  world  was  soon  to 
lose !    Every   minister   and  statesman  has  adherents  and 

2   L 


266 

friends  ;  because  he  has,  or  has  had,  means  oF  serving  and 
promoting  the  interests  of  many ;  but  it  has  rarely  oc- 
curred, that  three  nations  would  pour  in  around  the  bed 
of  a  dying  statesman,  their  anxious  solicitudes,  their 
hopes,  and  their  advice  for  his  health.  Why  was  it  so  I 
Fox  was  the  friend  of  mankind,  and  soared  as  much  above 
common  ministers  and  statesmen,  in  benevolence  and 
every  christian  virtue,  as  he  did  in  genius  and  knowledge. 

Many  letters  of  a  political  nature,  proved  the  indepen- 
dence of  the  character  of  Britons,  and  also  the  great  po- 
litical estimation  of  Mr.  Fox,  founded  on  che  soundness 
of  his  principles,  which  pervaded  every  class,  and  strongly 
contrasted  him  with  the  despotic  minister  he  had  so  long 
opposed.  Around  the  bed  of  the  patriot  minister,  the 
blessings  and  prayers  of  three  nations  were  offered,  while 
he  continued  to  exist — on  his  couch,  no  curses  of  the  op- 
pressed, no 

*'  groans  not  loud  but  deei>'^ 

assailed  him  to  trouble  his  intervals  of  rest,  or  heighten 
his  moments  of  anguish.  His  long  career  had  been 
marked  by  exertions  for  the  happiness  of  mankind  :  he 
had  cared  little  for  the  ordinary  objects  of  men-— he  had 
not  panted  for  power,  for  the  sole  pleasure  of  dictating  to 
others — he  had  had  but  one  object  ever  in  view — it  was  sim- 
ple and  grand — the  happiness  of  nations  !  The  protestants, 
dissenters,  and  catholics — the  black  inhabitants  of  distant 
climes — all  held  a  place  in  his  heart  as  men.  What  could 
disturb  the  last  moments  of  such  a  mind  ?  What  was  to 
revive  one  anxious,  doubting  thought  ?  Had  he  not  follow- 
ed all  the  precepts  of  Christianity,  and  carried  its  divine 
doctrines  into  the  very  cabinet  and  the  closet  of  his  sov- 
ereign t  Had  he  not  consecrated  his  boundless  talents  to 
struggles  for  liberty  and  peace,  and  in  worshipping  his 
God  with  a  pure  heart,  had  he  not  all  the  merit  of  a  sub- 
lime charity,  which  expanded  over  every  nation,  and  acted 


267 

powerfully  for  his  own,  to  offer  at  the  throne  of  an  im- 
mortal and  benignant  Deity  ?    No  torturer  had  shaken  his 

lash,   and   prepared   his   torments  under  his  ministry- ao 

system  of  intolerance,  debarring  man  of  his  right  of  re- 
ligious liberty,  had  cramped  society  under  his  auspices- 
no  persecution  of  the  press — no  banishment  or  imprison- 
ment, or  trial  for  life  of  any  citizen  for  freedom  of  politi- 
cal opinions,  no  unchristian  and  unwise  attack  upon  an 
agitated  and  suffering  nation,  which  sought  but  liberty  and 
peace — no  despotic  pride,  which  trampled  the  people  and 
elbowed  the  sovereign — had  distinguiseed  his  ministry  ! 
He  was  departing  as  he  had  lived,  the  unshaken  friend  of 
all  the  just  rights  of  man — no  calumny  had  deterred — no 
weak  fears  had  ever  prevented  him  from  defending  them. 
What  was  to  disturb  the  last  hours  of  such  a  man  I 

General  Fitzpatrick,  whose  constant  attention  spoke  the 
true  and  unchanged  friend,  to  the  last  moment  of  Mr. 
Fox's  life :  lord  Holland,  whose  affectionate  attentions 
were  those  of  a  son,  and  Miss  Fox,  who  to  all  the  amia- 
bility of  her  sex  joined  the  superior  and  philosophic  mind 
of  her  uncle.  Lord  Robert  Spencer,  sincere  and  affection- 
ate, and  enlivening  to  his  departing  friend — Mrs.  Fox,  of 
v/hose  unwearied  and  almost  heroic  exertions — of  whose 
tender  heart,  which  throbbed  in  unison  with  his,  and  vib- 
rated at  every  pang  he  felt,  who  never  left  his  bed  side, 
but  to  snatch  a  little  repose  to  enable  her  to  renew  her 
cares,  and  of  whom  the  pen  which  writes  cannot  describe 
the  excellence,  the  duty,  and  attachment,  manifested  in  the 
awful  moments  preceding  Mr.  Fox's  dissolution — myself, 
not  more  than  beginning  to  discover  all  the  brightness  and 
beauty  of  his  character,  but  anxious  to  pay  debts  of  grati- 
tude and  affection,  now,  were  the  only  persons  admitted 
to  his  apartments,  friendship,  and  all  its  endearing  offices, 
was  what  Mr.  Fox  above  all  men  was  entitled  to,  at  this 
afflicting  period.  His  whole  life  had  been  remarkable  for 
his  constancy,  and  warmth  of  attachment  to  those  he  se- 
lected as  his  friends  ;  the  late  duke  of  Devonshire,  as  well 


268 

as  the  dutchess  dowager,  were  most  unremitting  and  kind 
in  every  care  and  attention,  that  a  noble  hospitality,  and 
sincere  aiFection,  could  bestow.  The  duke,  whose  friend- 
ship was  warm  for  Mr.  Fox,  was  among  the  last  who 
were  adE«itted  to  see  him. 

London  and  Chiswick  house  now  presented  most 
strongly-contrasted  scenes ;  a  new  ministry  was  raising  its 
head  in  the  metropolis,  of  which  lords  Grenville  and  Grey 
were  the  leaders.  I  do  not  know  that  Mr.  Fox's  opinion 
was  ever  taken  upon  the  formation  of  another  ministry, 
and  of  its  future  measures,  and  I  fully  incline  to  think  that 
it  was  not.  The  despatches  had  long  ceased  to  be  laid 
before  him,  and  the  last  political  news  intimated  to  him, 
was  the  refusal  of  Alexander  to  ratify  the  treaty  conclud- 
ed at  Paris  by  his  minister.  As  his  disorder  had  become 
entirely  confirmed,  and  little  or  no  hope  existed  of  his  re- 
covery, the  cabinet  ceased  to  look  to  him  for  advice ;  and, 
before  his  great  mind  was  harassed  by  the  second  inroad 
made  by  the  disorder,  they  seemed  to  hold  his  retreat  to 
Chiswick,  as  a  virtual  resignation  of  office. 

Lord  Grenville  never  came  there,  lord  Grey,  I  think, 
rarely :  as  the  world  was  receding  from  the  view  of  the 
illustrious  character  who  had  given  the  ministry  all  its  lus- 
tre, I  contemplated  with  calm  indifference  the  busy  move- 
ments of  men,  and  inwardly  smiled  at  the  sanguine,  and  I 
may  say,  presumptuous  ideas  of  those  who  thought  that  a 
ministry,  in  opposition  to  a  tory  party,  without  Fox,  could 
maintain  a  strong  position  between  the  court  and  the  peo- 
ple ;  above  all,  who  imagined  that  on  the  rupture  of  the  ne- 
gotiation, success  would  follov,r  die  revival  of  the  old  plans 
upon  the  continent.  I  knew  how  very  grand  and  original 
were  Mr.  Fox's  ideas,  in  case  of  the  continuation  of  hos- 
tilities, and  I  expected  not  that  the  new  ministry,  which  ' 
was  growing  out  of  his  secession  from  politics  and  busi- 
ness, would  imitate  his  benevolence  towards  the  people, 
cr  that  they  couUl   invent   or  prepare   those  plans  which, 


269 

like  the  bolt  of  Jove,  might  fall,  sudden  and  irresistible, 
and  change  the  face  of  war,  or  inspire  new  and  strange 
feelings  in  a  triumphant  and  insolent  enemy. 

There  was,  as  every  one  must  allow,  the  conduct  of  ac- 
tive and  attentive  politicians  in  this  ;  but  still  it  was  but 
the  manner  of  ordinary  men !  Had  I  seen  them  hovering 
round  the  couch  of  departing  genius,  and  catching  from 
his  lips  those  admonitions,  which  those  who  arc  leaving 
the  world  give  with  peculia.-  effect,  I  should  have  augured 
better  of  the  coming  time.  Had  that  deference,  to  so 
great  a  political  character,  brought  them  to  seek  his  last 
ideas,  as  illuminating  principles  to  guide  and  inform  them, 
I  should  have  said,  England's  star  is  not  yet  obscured; 
and  if  the  spirit  of  Fox  lives  in  their  councils,  she  may 
escape  every  threatening  evil.  It  would  he  improper  and 
unjust  to  say,  that  the  cabinet  felt  relieved  by  Mr.  Fox's 
removal,  as  that  of  a  superior  mind  eclipsing  every  other ; 
but  it  is  allowable  to  say,  that  they  did  not  evince  that  anx- 
iety for  his  health,  which  often  induces  men  to  cling,  to  the 
last,  to  a  friend  and  adviser,  to  extract  from  him  those  senti- 
ments, or  that  counsel,  which  may,  in  some  measure, 
supply  his  place.  That  Mr.  Fox  would  not  have  refused 
such  aid  to  his  country,  even  while  he  hovered  on  the 
brink  of  a  better  world,  his  whole  life  and  conduct  prove ; 
and  that  he  was  capable  of  doing  so,  with  a  mind  in  full 
vigour  to  his  last  hour,  I  myself  can,  beyond  contra^ 
diction,  testify.  But  the  busy  ways  of  politicians  admit 
not  of  delay ;  their  plans  are  rarely  regulated  by  those 
sublime  rules  which  make  the  safety  of  the  commonwealth 
the  paramount,  and  anxiously  sought  for,  object.  None 
of  that  wisdom  and  patriotism,  which  sought  out  Timo° 
leon,  even  blind  and  old,  to  gather  from  him  his  opinions, 
and  to  listen  to  his  admonitions,  presided  in  London  at 
this  period.  Public  affairs  were  to  go  on,  and  the  pro- 
gress of  the  state  machine  was  more  thought  of  than  its 
happy  arrival  at  some  grand  and  desirable  gaoL 


270 

On  the  other  hand,  at  Chiswick  house,  the  great  mau, 
who  had  so  often  and  so  vainly  struggled  to  save  his  coun- 
try from  the  errors  into  which  she  had  fallen,  and  who 
came  too  late  into  his  majesty's  councils  to  be  able  to  re- 
medy them,  was  fast  declining,  and  saw  before  that 
country  a  dreary  prospect,  and  interminable  war.  Totally 
unruffled,  by  what  the  fretful  possessor  of  power  might 
construe  into  neglect,  he  preserved  the  same  unabated 
serenity,  the  same  magnanimity,  as  he  had  ever  done.  If 
he  inwardly  mourned  for  his  distracted  country,  no  com- 
plaints escaped  him,  no  impatient  censure  of  any  one  was 
heard.  Nor  was  his  pure  and  noble  mind  less  distin- 
guished at  this  time,  by  a  lofty  disregard  of  all  worldly 
concerns.  His  family,  every  thing  dear  to  him,  stood 
before  him,  but  relying  on  the  justice  of  his  country,  and 
the  honour  of  his  friends,  he  left  it  to  them  to  protect  those 
he  loved,  and  guard  all  he  held  dear  from  penury  or  dis- 
tress. He  had  now  acted  his  part  in  the  world ;  it  was 
no  longer  for  him  to  remind  any  man  of  what  was  due  to 
him.  Had  the  ministers  requested  to  have  his  last  advice 
and  commands,  I  am  confident  this  great  man  would  have 
summoned  all  his  powers,  and  had  death  followed,  given 
them  the  free  dictates,  of  his  exalted  mind.  Had  he  ex- 
pired, pouring  forth  the  anxious  wishes  of  his  patriotic 
mind,  for  the  happiness  of  a  beloved  country,  I  am  fully 
convinced  his  last  look  would  have  been  a  smile,  his  last 
word  a  prayer. 

I  shortly  beheld  Mr.  Fox  in  a  light  which  fully  justifies, 
v/hat  to  some  may  appear  the  enthusiasm  of*  affection,  or 
the  blindness  of  admiration.  He  grew  daily  worse  ;  his 
size  became  very  inconvenient,  and  it  was  determined  by 
his  physicians,  that  he  ought  again  to  undergo  the  opera- 
tion of  tapping.  The  day  was  appointed,  the  physicians 
arrived,  preparations  were  made.  Mrs.  Fox,  lord  Holland, 
every  one  left  the  room ;  when,  through  a  feeling  both 
strong  and  uncontrollable,  I  determined  to  remain.  My 
anxiety   and  sorrow  for  Mr.  Fox  were  so  great,   that   I 


271 

feared,    in   case  of  weakness,  no  one  might  watch  him 
with  sufficient  attention,  in  case  of  any  tendency  to  fainting. 
What  followed   raised  my  opinion  of  this   incomparable 
man,     far   beyond  what   it  had  yet  been.     When   every 
thing  was  ready,    Mr.  Fox  was  led  from  his  chamber  to 
the  outer  room,  and  placed  in  a  great  chair.      Great  God  ! 
what  anguish  thrilled  through  me,  when  he  was  undressed, 
and  the  awful  preparation  was  making  to  pierce  his  side. 
But    he — cheerful,   friendly,    and  benignant,    was    some- 
thing quite  above  mortality,  giving  no  trouble,  the  same 
sweetness  of  temper,  the  same  courage  which  looked  down 
on  pain,  the  same  philosophy  which  made  the  best  of  every 
thing,  and  the  same  wish  to  give  his  friends  or  attendants 
as  little  trouble  as  possible,  shone  forth  this  day,   bright 
and   cheering  as  the  evening  glow   which   rests    upon   a 
placid  lake.     He,  who  from  respect  to  suffering  humanity, 
might  have  desired  to  retire,  or  close  his  eyes,   was  soon 
recalled  from  their  momentary  weakness,  by  looking  on 
the  sublime   object   before  him.      Mr.   Fox,  during  the 
whole  operation,  conversed  with  the  physicians,  with  all 
his  usual  force,  accuracy,  and  pleasant  natural  manners  ; 
he  mentioned  to  them  his  opinion,  that  in  all  difficult  cases, 
his  own,  or  any  other,  it  would  be  advisable  for  each  to 
write  down  his  opinion,  seal  it  up,  and  that  it  should  not 
be  examined  till  the  deceased  person  had  been  opened,  and 
then  the  erroneous  conclusions  drawn  would  appear.      The 
physicians,  astonished,  looked  at  each  other,  and  were  at 
a  loss  to  ansv/er.      During  the  whole  of  the  operation, 
even  when  faintness  succeeded  to  pain,  he  was  cheerful, 
and  seemed  desirous,  by  his  own  disregard  of  his  situation, 
to  lessen  the  concern  of  others.     There  was  much  resem- 
blance in  his  manner,  to  that  of  a  philosophic  and  accom? 
plished  Roman,  described  by  Tacitus,  in  his  last  moments. 

"  Audiebatque  referentes,  nihil  de  immortalitate  amm?e 
et  sapientium  placitis,  sed  levia  carmina,  et  faciles  versus ; 
servorum  alios  largitone,  quos  de  verberibus  affecit.  Iniit 
et  vias,  somno  indulsit,  ut  quanquam  coactamors,  fortuitje 


272 

similis  esset."  A  similar  self-possession  distinguished 
Mr.  Fox  at  this  moment,  which  was  of  such  danger, 
that  immediate  death  might  have  followed,  and  of  that 
danger  he  was  well  aware.  When  the  operation  was  con- 
cluded, his  great  anxiety  was  to  send  intelligence  to  Mrs. 
Fox,  that  he  had  undergone  it  safely ;  for  as  he  had  hero- 
ism enough  to  rise,  in  the  most  trying  and  agonizing  mo- 
ments, above  self,  he  was  also  ever  solicitous  to  obviate 
injury  to  the  feelings  of  others,  by  destroying  doubt,  and 
communicating  what  was  pleasant.- 

As  he  felt  much  relieved,  though  dreadfully  exhausted, 
the  evening  of  this  day  proved  a  happy  one  ;  we  again 
ventured  to  indulge  in  pleasing  ideas  ;  hope  again  allured 
us;  fondly  wishing  that  some  great  change  might  be 
wrought  by  nature,  we  breathed  freely  ;  trusting  to  Pro- 
vidence, we  looked  yet  to  recovery  as  probable. 


CHAPTER  Vr, 


THE  operation  by  no  means  answered  the  expecta^ 
tions  so  credulously  and  anxiously  fornved.  Mr.  Fox 
was  relieved  but  for  a  short  time  ;  and  I  began,  at  length, 
to  dread  that  the  event  of  his  dissolution  was  not  far  dis- 
tant. His  uneasiness  became  very  great,  and  it  was  ne- 
cessary to  raise  him  in  the  bed,  and  assist  him  to  rise  fre- 
quently. I  thank  God,  no  mercenary  hand  approached 
him.  Mrs.  Fox  hung  over  him  every  day,  with  vigilant 
and  tender  affection :  when  exhausted,  I  took  her  place  ; 
and  at  night,  as  his  disorder  grew  grievously  oppressive, 
a  confidential  servant  and  myself  shared  the  watching  and 
labours  between  us.  I  took  the  first  part,  b«cause  1  read 
to  him,  as  well  as  gave  him  medicine  or  nourishment. 

We  continued  our  reading  of  Johnson's  Lives  of  the 
Poets.  How  often,  at  midnight,  has  he  listened  with  avi- 
dity, made  the  remarks  that  occurred,  then  apologized  to 
me  for  keeping  me  from  my  rest ;  but  still  delighted  with 
our   reading,  would  say,  "  well,  you  may  go  on  a  little 

2  n 


274 

more,'*  as  I  assured  him  that  I  liked  the  reading  aloud. 
At  these  times  he  would  defend  Johnson,  when  I  blamed 
his  severity  and  unwillingness  to  allow,  and  incapacity 
to  appreciate,  poetical  merit  ;  would  refer  me  to  his  life  of 
Savage,  and  plainly  showed  much  partiality  for  Johnson* 
Of  Dryden,  he  was  a  warm,  and  almost  enthusiastic  admi- 
rer. He  conversed  a  great  deal  about  that  great  English 
poet ;  and,  indeed,  I  never  perceived,  at  any  time,  in  him 
a  stronger  relish  for,  or  admiration  of  the  poets  than  at  this 
afflicting  period.  I  generally  read  to  him  till  three  or 
four  in  the  morning,  and  then  retired  for  a  few  hours  : 
he  showed  always  great  uneasiness  at  my  sitting  up,  but 
evidently  was  soothed  and  gratified  by  my  being  with 
him.  At  first  he  apologised  for  my  preparing  the  nou- 
rishment, which  he  required  to  be  warmed  in  the  night; 
but  seeing  how  sincerely  I  was  devoted  to  him,  he  ceased 
to  make  any  remark.  Once  he  asked  me,  at  midnight, 
when  preparing  chicken  panade  for  him,  "  Does  this  amuse 
you  ?  I  hope  it  does."  He  was  so  far  from  exacting  at- 
tendance, that  he  received  every  little  good  office,  every 
proper  and  necessary  attention,  as  a  favout-  and  a  kindness 
done  him.  So  unvitiated  by  commerce  with  mankind,  so 
tender,  so  alive  to  all  the  charms  of  friendship  was  this 
excellent  man's  heart!  His  anxiety,  also,  lest  Mrs.  Fox's 
health  should  suffer,  was  uniformly  great  till  the  day  he 
^xpir-ed. 

Lord  Holland  and  general  Fitzpatrick,  as  he  grew 
worse,  came  and  resided  at  Chiswick  house  entirely.  Miss 
Fox  also  remained  there.  Thus  he  had  around  him  every 
<iay,  all  he  loved  most ;  and  the  overwhelming  pressure  of 
his  disorder  was  as  much  as  possible  relieved  by  the  con- 
verse and  sight  of  cherished  relatives  and  friends.  Lord 
Holland  showed  how  much  he  valued  such  an  uncle  !  He 
ivever  left  him ;  the  hopes  of  power,  or  common  allure^ 
ments  of  ambition  had  no  effect  upon  him.  His  affec- 
tionate attention  to  Mr.  Fox,  and  his  kindness  to  all  who 
assisted  that  great  man,  were  endearing  in  a  high  degrecr 


275 

It  Is  true,  the  habits  of  nobility,  which  render  men  less 
able  to  assist  themselves  or  others,  precluded  very  active 
co-operation  in  the  cares  necessary  for  Mr.  Fox's  repose ; 
but  he  was  always  watchful  to  preclude  disturbance,  and 
always  alive  to  every  wish  and  look  of  his  noble  relative. 
Miss  Fox,  calm  and  resigned,  grieving,  without  uttering  a 
word,  would  sit  at  the  foot  of  his  bed,  and  often  remind- 
ed me  of  the  fine  heads  of  females,  done  by  masterly  hands, 
to  express  sorrow,  dignity,  and  faith  in  God.  There  was 
no  ostentation  in  the  simple  and  graceful  manners  of  Miss 
Fox  :  the  affecting  object  of  all  our  cares  alone  occupied 
her,  and  if  her  feelings  did  not  appear  so  violent  as  those 
of  others,  they  were  more  concentrated  and  more  intense. 
In  her  serenity  there  was  much  of  Fox ;  and  her  conver- 
sation and  the  candour  of  her  soul,  were  grateful  to  him, 
till  pain  and  uneasiness  almost  overwhelmed  him. 

As  he  grew  worse,  his  situation  became  peculiarly  distres- 
sing ;  the  orifice  of  the  puncture  did  not  close,  and  the  water 
accumulating  obliged  him  frequently  to  rise,  and  allow  it  to 
discharge.  His  restlessness  became  very  great,  and  his  time 
was  divided  between  his  arm  chair  and  the  bed.  Mrs.  Fox 
retired  early  at  night,  to  enable  her  to  rise  with  the  dawn, 
and  renew  her  unceasing  cares.  The  midnight  reading 
was  now  affecting  and  awful  to  m.e.  I  thought  that  Mr. 
Fox  could  not  long  survive,  and  I  trembled,  lest  he  might 
suddenly  expire,  while  supported  in  my  arms. 

My  limbs,  at  times,  tottered  under  the  weight  I  sustained; 
but  the  goodness  of  God,  and  the  strength  of  my  affection  for 
Mr.  Fox,  enabled  me  to  pass  through  those  trying  hours, 
without  sinking  under  fatigue  or  sorrow.  What  a  melancholy 
task  to  watch  by  the  bedside  in  the  solemn  hour  of  night,  of 
an  incomparable  dying  friend  ;  yet  it  was  soothing  to  un- 
dergo it  all  ;  to  read,  till  troubled  nature  snatched  a  little 
repose  ;  and  to  prepare  the  nourishment,  which  was  often 
required  to  sustain  him.    On  one  occasion,  as  the  increase 


276 

and  renewed  violence  of  the  complaint  had  caused  him 
to  rise  at  night,  whilst  I  assisted  him,  and  with  a  napkin 
dried  up  the  water  from  the  orifice,  which  incommoded 
him,  he  said,  in  a  low  voice,  and  quite  to  himself,  "  this 
15  true  friendship." 

There  was  now  a  plaintiveness  in  his  manner  very  inte- 
resting, but  no   way  derogating   from  his    fortitude   and 
calmness.     He  did  not  affect  the  stoic.      He  bore  his  pains 
as  a  christian  and  a  man.     Till  the  last  day,  however,  I 
do  not  think    he  conceived   himself  in  danger.      A   few 
days  before  the  termination  of  his  mortal  career,  he  said 
to  me  at   night,  "  Holland  thinks  me  worse  than  I  am ;" 
and,  in.fact,  the  appearances  were  singularly  delusive,  not  a 
week  before  he  expired.      In  the  day  he  arose,  and  walked 
a  little  ;  and   his  looks  were  not  ghastly   or  alarming  by 
any  means.      Often  did  he  latterly  walk  to  his  window  to 
gaze  on  the  berries  of  the  mountain  ash,  which  hung  clus- 
tering on  a  young  tree  at  Chiswick  house  :   every   morn- 
ing he  returned  to  look  at  it  ;  he  would  praise  it,  as  the 
morning  breeze  rustling  shook  the  berries  and  leaves  ;  but 
then  the  golden   sun,  which  played  upon  them,  and  the 
fresh  air  which  comes  with  the  dawn,  were  to  me  almost 
heart  sickening,  though  once  so  delightful :   he,  whom  I 
so  much    cherished  and  esteemed,  whose   kindness  had 
been  ever  unremitting  and  unostentatious  j  he   whose   so- 
ciety was  to  me  happiness  and  peace,  was  not  long  to  en* 
joy    this   sun    and   morning    air.      His  last  look  on  that 
mountain  ash  was  his  farewell  to  nature  ! 

I  continued  to  read  aloud  every  night,  and  as  he  occa- 
bionally  dropt  asleep,  1  was  then  left  to  the  awful  medita- 
tions incident  to  such  a  situation ;  no  person  wa^  awake 
beside  myself;  the  lofty  rooms  and  hall  of  Chiswick 
house  were  silent,  and  the  world  reposed.  In  one  of  those 
melancholy  pauses,  I  walked  about  for  a  few  minutes,  and 
found  myself  involuntarily  and  accidentally  in  the  late 
dutchess  of  Devonshire's  dressing  room  ;  every  thing  was 


277 

as  that  amiable  and  accomplished  lady  had  left  it.  The  mu- 
sic book  still  open ;  the  books  not  restored  to  their  places ; 
a  chair,  as  if  she  had  but  just  left  it,  and  every  mark 
of  a  recent  inhabitant  in  this  elegant  apartment.  The 
dutchess  had  died  in  May,  and  Mr.  Fox  had  very  severe- 
ly felt  her  loss.  Half  opened  notes  lay  scattered  about. 
The  night  was  solemn  and  still ;  anJ  at  that  moment,  had 
some  floating  sound  of  music  vibrated  through  the  air,  I 
cannot  tell  to  what  my  feelings  would  have  been  wrought. 
Never  had  I  experienced  so  strong  a  sensation  of  the 
transitory  nature  of  life,  of  the  vanity  of  a  fleeting  world. 
I  stood  scarce  breathing — ^heard  nothing— listened — death 
and  disease  in  all  their  terrific  forms  marshalled  themselves 
before  me ;  the  tomb  yawned ;  and,  oh,  God !  what  a 
pang  was  it,  that  it  was  opening  for  him  whom  I  had  hoped 
to  see  enjoying  many  happy  years,  and  declining  in  the  ful- 
ness of  his  glory  into  the  vale  of  years.  Scarcely  know- 
ing how  I  left  the  dressing  room  I  returned ;  all  was 
still.  Mr.  Fox  slept  quietly.  I  was  deluded  into  a  tran- 
quil joy,  to  find  him  still  alive,  and  breathing  without  dif- 
ficulty. His  countenance  was  always  serene  in  sleep;  no 
troubled  dreams  ever  agitated  or  distorted  it ;  it  was  the 
transcript  of  his  guiltless  mind. 

During  the  whole  time  of  my  attendance  at  night  on 
Mr.  Fox,  not  one  impatient  word  escaped  him,  not  one 
expression  of  regret  or  remorse  wandered  from  his  lips. 
Mr.  Addison^s  words,  "  See  !  how  a  christian  can  die," 
might  have  been  throughout  more  happily  applied  at 
Chiswick  house,  by  adding  a  little  to  them, — "  Behold 
how  a  patriot  and  christian  can  meet  his  last  hour  !'* 
Could  the  youth  of  Britain  but  have  seen  the  great  friend 
to  liberty,  and  the  advocate  of  peace,  in  his  latter  days, 
what  a  lesson  would  not  his  calm  and  dignified  deport- 
ment have  afi*orded.  It  is  not  the  minister  who  carries 
on  the  public  affairs  for  a  series  of  years,  with  little  bene- 
fit, or  perhaps  serious  detriment  to  his  country,  who  can, 
in  the  close  of  his  days,  look  around,  and  say,    "  I  have 


5278 

injured  no  one  ;  I  have  laboured  for  the  happiness  of  mil- 
lions ;  I  have  never  allowed  anger,  or  pride,  or  the  spirit  of 
domination,  make  me  forget  the  interests  and  feelings  of 
others  ;  I  have  professed  myself  a  christian,  and  embroiled 
the  human  race  ;"  but  it  is  the  dying  patriot,  who  can  loudly 
proclaim,  that  he  has  done  all  the  good  to  his  country  and 
mankind  that  was  possible ;  and,  in  the  retrospect  of  a  life 
dedicated  to  the  defence  of  the  rights  of  mankind,  he  finds 
no  groans  come  across  his  ears  from  incarcerated  victims ; 
no  shades  of  oppressed  and  murdered  citizens  rise  in  his 
dim  and  feeble  view,  to  chase  repose  from  his  couch,  and 
tell  him  that  though  despotic,  he  was  not  happy— though 
descending  into  the  tomb,  he  could  not  escape  the  cries  of 
the  injured,  or  the  stings  of  conscience. 


CHAPTER  VIL 


AS  Mr.  Fox's  situation,  though  not  threatening  im- 
mediate danger,  in  the  opinion  of  his  physicians,  was, 
however,  hopeless,  as  to  ultimate  cure,  and  very  distress- 
ing to  himself,  a  consultation  was  held,  as  to  the  propriety 
of  recurring  to  some  strong  remedy,  which  might  afford 
the  best  chance  of  effecting  a  favourable  alteration  in  the 
patient.  It  was  finally  decided,  and  I  understood  with 
lord  Holland's  concurrence,  that  an  attempt  should  be 
made  to  counteract  the  violence  of  the  disorder,  through 
the  medium  of  the  most  powerful  medicine,  which 
science  and  experience  sanctioned  as  most  efficacious  in 
desperate  cases.  It  was  decided  that  this  (which  I  con- 
cluded was  digitalis,  or  foxglove,  prepared  in  a  liquid 
state)  should  be  administered  to  Mr.  Fox.  I  heard  of  this 
determination  with  a  dissatisfaction  and  sorrow  I  could 
not  well  account  for.  Those  who  know  what  it  is  to  linger 
round  a  departing  friend,  whether  it  be  that  he  undertakes 
a  long  journey,  or  goes  on  some  perilous  service,  or  se- 
cludes himself  in  distant  retirement  from  the  world,  may 
conceive  the  painful  and  confused  state  of  my  mind  at  this 
time.  My  ideas  wejre  not  well  developed,  even  to  myself. 


280 

I  wished  life  to  be  preserved  as  long  as  possible— that 
gratitude  and  friendship  should  have  watched  for  years, 
(if  a  few  could  yet  be  gained,)  round  the  couch  of  the 
great  man  whose  domestic  virtues  had  all  shone  brighter 
through  the  clouds  of  pain  and  anguish,  and  the  most 
harassing  suffering.  I  thought  that  alleviation  of  the  dis- 
ease, rather  than  an  impracticable  attempt  to  cope  with  the 
tremendous  enemy  which  had  seized  upon  him,  was 
more  desirable.  Mrs.  Fox  and  myself  v/ere  so  much  ex- 
hausted, and  worn  out  with  constant  cares,  that  we  scarcely 
knew  the  nature  of  the  decision.  We  heard  a  change  of 
medicine  was  resolved  on,  but  did  not  then  know  its 
powerful  and  extraordinary  effects.  It  is  true  only  a  few 
months  might  have  been  gained,  perhaps  six  or  eight  ; 
perhaps  less.  But  I  always  wished  that  he  should  be  re- 
moved to  St.  Anne's  Hill,  and  in  this  idea  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fox  both  concurred.  I  do  not  think  his  own  opinion  was 
taken,  but  it  was  a  case  upon  which  he  could  not  well 
form  one.  Lord  Holland,  too,  suffered  so  much  at  this 
period,  that  he  himself  could  not  decide  with  the  calm.* 
ness  requisite  for  so  very  difficult  and  painful  a  question. 

In  retiring  to  St.  Anne's  Hill  a  good  deal  might  have 
been  accomplished :  the  history,  whose  scattered  leaves 
lay  uncorrected,  and  unregulated  by  their  author,  might 
have  received  a  final  revision,  and  his  own  directions  have 
been  taken  respecting  it.  In  the  intervals  of  temporary 
ease,  his  great  and  prophetic  mind  might  have  dictated  a 
political  testament;  and  as  the  negotiation  was  subse- 
quently soon  terminated,  his  view  of  future  continental 
operations  might  have  been  obtained,  and  have  proved  of 
incalculable  value,  and  this,  to  the  existing  ministry,  would 
have  been  no  inconsiderable  bequest.  What  more  impor- 
tant than  his  instructions  for  Ireland  ?  His  opinion  upon 
reform,  under  new  circumstances  ?  Upon  a  paper  money 
spreading  through,  and  illusively  strengthening  the  means 
of  the  country  ? 


281 

The  physicians  having  decided  upon  the  point  of  ad- 
ministering a  strong  remedy,  I  received  instructions  at 
what  time  in  the  morning  to  give  it,  and  at  what  intervals. 
The  humanity  and  feeling  evinced  by  all  the  physicians, 
and  peculiarly  by  Dr.  Pitcairn  and  sir  Henry  Halford 
(then  Dr.  Vaughan)  left  no  room  to  imagine  but  that  they 
had  considered  the  case,  not  only  with  judgment,  but 
great  tenderness  for  their  patient.  I  incline  to  the  opinion, 
however,  that  the  strong  political  and  moral,  as  well  as 
medical  view  was  not  taken,  and  the  importance  of  Mr. 
Fox's  existence  to  the  utmost  length  which  nature  would 
permit,  was  not  weighed  with  the  anxiety  and  veneration 
it  merited  by  the  cabinet  itself.  Lord  Fitzwilliam,  who 
was  most  likely  to  have  appreciated  the  last  sentiments  of 
the  illustrious  person  concerned,  in  the  light  which  friend- 
ship and  value  for  his  political  character  demanded,  was 
in  the  country.  The  other  ministers,  who  were  his  friends, 
and  had  been  carried  into  power  by  his  weight,  seemed 
unequal  to  the  perplexing  difficulties  of  acting  with  lord 
Grenville,  and  consulting  the  last  wishes  and  sentiments 
of  Mr.  Fox,  as  the  rule  for  their  conduct,  in  all  future 
emergencies  of  home,  or  foreign  politics.  Doubtless,  his 
counsels  might  have  led  to  their  loss  of  office ;  but,  had  it 
been  so,  they  would  have  lost  their  situations  with  in- 
finitely greater  credit  vrith  the  public,  and  satisfaction  to 
themselves. 

The  night  preceding  the  taking  of  the  fatal  medicine, 
I  sat  up  with  him,  and  read  as  usual  through  the  chief  part 
of  it:  he  was  cheerful  and  easy,  and  I  felt  an  extraordi- 
nary degree  of  pleasure  from  his  conversation.  We  seem- 
ed in  this  intercourse  at  Chiswick,  to  have  lived  years 
together;  the  distance  between  us  had  vanished;  I  had 
become  the  friend  upon  whom  at  night  he  could  rest  his 
head,  and  feel  his  pangs  diminished.  I  had  been  his 
reader,  and  as  the  sound  of  my  voice  was  agreeable  to  him, 
and  often  lulled  him  to  rest,  when  the  prose  and  poetry  I 
read  did  not  catch  his  attention.    His  generous  and  feeling 

2  N 


282 


heart  had  beat  <vith  grateful  throbs  on  finding  himself  at- 
tended by  no  mercenary  hand,  and  his  gratitude  to  me 
was  increased,  as  he  knew  that  Mrs.  Fox  could  repose 
securely  upon  me,  and  gain  a  little  rest,  so  much  requir- 
ed in  the  midst  of  heart-breaking  cares,  whilst  I  watched 
round  the  bed  of  her  afflicted  husband.  When  fond  hope 
would  whisper  of  recovery,  I  used  to  think  how  pleasant 
our  future  society  would  be  at  St.  Anne's  Hill ;  that  there, 
withdrawn  from  the  harassment  of  politics,  and  the 
drudgery  of  office,  a  happier  time  might  await  him ;  and 
that  we  who  had  laboured  round  his  pillow,  would  feel  so 
proud  and  gratified  by  his  restoration  to  tolerable  health, 
that  nothing  higher  of  reward  could  be  desired ;  that 
friendship  would  say,  we  have  preserved  him ;  what  fur- 
ther can  we  wish  ?  The  rapid  glance  of  fancy  painted  to 
my  mind  the  small  circle  at  St.  Anne's,  cemented  by  gra- 
titude, affection,  and  every  tie  of  friendship. 

Why  do  I  write  thus  ?  Hope  had  raised  the  cup  but  to 
dash  it  to  the  ground !  On  this  memorable  night,  I  read 
Johnson's  Lives  of  the  Poets,  and  Mr.  Fox  listened  with 
his  usual  relish,  and  made  those  natural  and  pleasant  re- 
marks he  was  wont  to  do ;  and,  as  usual^  he  received  from 
me  the  nourishment  prepared,  with  his  friendly,  and  some- 
times jocose  manner.  As  the  morning  dawned,  I  looked 
out ;  the  hour  had  arrived  for  administering  the  medicine, 
an  unwillingness  of  an  unaccountable  nature  held  my  hand, 
.1  looked  out  at  the  reviving  face  of  the  country,  the  peep- 
ing sun  sent  forth  the  first  beams  of  day,  brightening  the 
grounds  and  gardens  of  Chiswick  house  with  his  coming 
glory,  the  morning  was  lovely,  but  to  me  the  most  melan- 
choly. Mr.  Fox  slept ;  I  took  advantage  of  the  incident 
for  delay;  his  sleep,  howcatmand  undisturbed;  the  golden 
light  spread  a  glow  upon  his  face,  a  tranquil  majesty  sat 
on  his  brow,  the  innocence  of  youth  played  upon  his  cheek, 
no  trace  of  worldly  care  was  seen ;  I  would  not  disturb 
such  moments ;  I  could  not  force  myself  to  break  his 
islumbers.     When  he  awoke,  I  still  lingered  ;  nor  till  Mrs. 


2BS 

Fox  arose,  and  three  or  four  hours  had  passed  beyond  the 
appointed  time,  did  I  administer  the  medicine. 

For  the  first  time  since  his  illness  had  commenced, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fox  appeared  to  think  me  neglectful. 
Alas !  I  trembled  with  the  apprehension  that  we  should 
soon  lose  him  for  ever:  I  dreaded,  with  strange  fore- 
bodings, the  termination  of  all  our  cares,  in  the  dissolution, 
of  the  painful,  yet  pleasing,  state  of  society,  in  which,  if 
there  was  labour  and  anxiety,  and  sorrow,  yet  Mr.  Fox 
was  there,  and  sensible  of  and  alive  to  the  attentions  of 
friendship. 

After  receiving  the  medicine  several  times,  he  grew 
alarmingly  worse ;  he  was,  however,  composed,  and  did 
not  complain.  Mrs.  Fox  was  now  truly  an  object  of 
commiseration ;  her  anguish  was  so  great,  that  I  felt  the 
miseries  of  the  moment  increased,  by  witnessing  her  sor- 
rows. The  distresses  of  general  Fitzpatrick,  lord  Hol- 
land, and  Miss  Fox,  were  silent,  deep,  and  affecting. 
For  myself,  the  world  seemed  blackening  before  me,  the 
dreary  path  was  long  and  lonely,  what  were  ministers  and 
courts,  and  palaces,  if  Fox  ceased  to  live  ?  the  empty 
gratifications  they  could  confer — what,  compared  to  the 
intercourse  of  friendship  with  such  a  man  ?  It  was  evi- 
dent that  nature  was  overwhelmed,  and  that  the  remaining 
struggle  could  not  be  long.  Mr.  Bouverie,  a  young 
clergyman,  then  in  the  house,  was  brought  in.  Prayers 
were  read.  Mr.  Fox  was  quiet  and  resigned,  but  evi- 
dently disliked  speaking. 

A  solemn  and  awful  silence  prevailed.  He  now  ra- 
pidly grew  worse.  The  night  which  succeeded  was  one 
of  horror.  The  worst  every  moment  expected,  but  an 
invincible  degree  of  fortitude  and  resignation  manifested 
by  Mr.  Fox :  no  murmurs,  no  impatience,  at  his  suffer- 
ings, but  an  anxiety  for  Mrs.  Fox's  health,  was  predomi- 
nant over  every  thing.     She  had  nobly  endured  the  long 


2B4 

and  distressing  fatigues  of  this  melancholy  time  :  he  was 
sensible  of  the  exertions  she  had  made  ;  he  knew  they  were 
beyond  her  strength ;  and,  in  pitying  her  he  forgot  all  the 
agonies,  all  the  misery,  of  his  bodily  state.  Late  at  night 
he  sent  for  lord  Holland,  and  asked,  "  if  there  was  any 
hope."  Lord  Holland  did  not  flatter  him  with  any,  and 
his  answer  was  received  with  all  that  quiet  magnanimity 
which  distinguished  Mr.  Fox's  character,  and  had  per- 
vaded his  whole  life.  Towards  morning,  his  breathing 
was  visibly  affected.  All  hope  was  at  an  end.  Nothing 
remained,  but  to  wait  the  event.  Nature  did  not  strug- 
gle much.  Mrs.  Fox,  Miss  Fox,  surgeon  Hawkins,  my- 
self, and  one  domestic,  were  alone  present. 

The  scene  which  followed  was  worthy  of  the  illustrious 
name  of  Fox.  As  his  breathing  became  painfully  difE° 
cult,  he  no  longer  spoke,  but  his  looks — his  countenance, 
gradually  assumed  a  sublime,  yet  tender,  air.  He  seemed 
to  regret  leaving  Mrs.  Fox  solitary  and  friendless,  and  as 
he  fixed  his  eyes  repeatedly  upon  her,  threw  into  them 
such  an  expression  of  consolation  as  looked  supernatural : 
there  was,  also,  in  it  a  tender  gratitude,  which  breathed 
unutterable  thanks,  and  to  the  last,  the  disinterested  and 
affectionate,  the  dying  husband,  mourned  for  another's 
sufferings,  and  strove  to  make  his  own  appear  light. 
There  was  the  pious  resignation  of  the  christian,  who 
fearlessly  abandons  his  fleeting  spirit  to  a  merciful  Deity, 
visible  throughout  the  day :  the  unbeliever  who  "  came  to 
scoff,''  must  have  remained  to  pray.  It  was  now  Mr. 
Fox  gathered  the  fruits  of  his  glorious  life;  his  departure 
was  unruffled  by  remorse,  he  had  sacrificed  every  thing 
that  was  personal  to  his  country's  good,  and  found  his  last 
moments  blest  by  the  reflection,  that  his  last  effort  had 
been  conform.able  to  the  divine  religion  he  professed,  to 
give  peace  to  an  afflicted  world.  The  hovering  angel, 
who  waited,  to  receive  his  spirit,  saw  that  he  had  tarried 
long  enough  upon  earth  :  the  evening  advanced,  and  sink- 
ing nature  announced  that  his  end  approached.  "  I  die  hap- 


5285 

pify^   said    he,   fixing    again   and    again,   his  eyes  upon 
Mrs.  Fox. 

He  endeavoured  to  speak  further — but  we  could  not 
understand  his  words — he  repeated  the  attempt — I  affect- 
ed to  understand  him,  in  order  to  relieve  his  anxiety ; 
"  Trotter  will  tell  you^^  turning  to  Mrs.  Fox,  were  his 
last  words !  His  countenance  grew  serene  and  elevated. 
His  arms  were  a  little  raised  to  meet  Mrs.  Fox's  embrace 
His  eyes,  full  of  a  celestial  lustre,  continued  bright  and 
unclosed;  and,  as  the  setting  sun  withdrew,  without  dis- 
tortion or  struggle,  but  with  the  same  unchanged  looks  of 
benignity,  resignation,  and  love,  which  animated  his  face 
throughout  this  mournful  day,  he  expired,  leaving  our 
sorrow  almost  obliterated  by  admiration  at  his  exempla- 
ry and  happy  end  * 


MISCELLANEOUS 


FACTS  AND  OBSERVATIONS. 


MR.  FOX  expired  between  five  and  six  in  the  after- 
noon of  the  13th  of  September,  1806.  The  Tower  guns 
were  firing  for  the  capture  of  Buenos  Ayres,  as  he  was 
breathing  his  last.  The  evening  was  serene,  and  of  that 
interesting  kind  which  distinguishes  the  beginning  of  Au- 
tumn. It  seemed  as  if  circumstances  and  nature  had  com- 
bined to  render  the  moment  peculiarly  solemn  and  affect- 
ing; fresh  victories  were  announcing  as  this  great  states- 
man was  departing,  and  the  mild  beams  of  the  declining 
sun  illuminated  his  chamber  with  a  softened  glow.  What 
a  void,  when  I  beheld  the  body  inanimate  and  cold  ! — The 
countenance  remained  serene,  and  full  of  a  sublime  and 
tender  expression.  It  is  remarkable,  too,  that  it  continued 
so  for  nearly  a  week,  till  it  became  necessary  to  put  the 
body  into  a  shell.  As  it  was  suggested  to  me  two  or 
three  days  after  his  death,  that  a  cast  might  still  be  taken 
from  the  face,  a  messenger  was  despatched  to  Mr.  Nolle* 
kens  and  the  attempt  was  made :  it,  however,  failed,  the 
features  had  changed  and  fallen  in  a  considerable  degree, 
and  the  plan  was  thus  defeated.     I  understood  the  result 


2SS 

was  unfavourable,   but  could  not  prevail  upon  myself  to 
look  at  the  mask.     During  the  week  that  the  corpse  re-  ^ 
mained  at  Chiswick,  I  every  day  frequently  contemplated 
the  countenance  of  the  illustrious  departed* 

The  same  serenity,  magnanimity,  and  feeling,  which 
distinguished  him  alive,  were,  if  possible,  more  forcibly 
pourtrayed  than  ever  upon  his  countenance  :  there  was 
also  an  air  of  indescribable  grandeur  spread  over  it.  I 
felt  a  strange  sensatiori  when  alone  in  the  apartment  with 
the  mortal  remains  of  Charles  James  Fox. 

Perhaps  there  was  more  of  the  moral  sublime  in  this 
than  falls  commonly  to  the  lot  of  man  to  witness  and  ex- 
perience. The  melanctioly  and  solitary  feelings  I  then 
endured,  those  who  have  lost  beloved  friends  and  relatives, 
will  be  well  able  to  appreciate  :  besides,  the  departure  of 
so  towering  a  genius  imparted  various  solemn,  and  awful 
reflections. 

I  then  faintly  conceived  the  idea ;  and  I  have  since 
frequently  wished,  that  the  art  of  embalming  had  been 
employed  to  preserve  so  very  grand  a  subject  for  the  con- 
templation of  the  present  race,  and  of  the  future  genera- 
tion. This  great  and  patriotic  minister  might  thus  have 
inspired  virtue  in  the  young  patriot,  or  controlled  the  pro- 
fligate betrayer  of  his  country,  by  his  looks  :  all  who 
viewed  his  noble  countenance,  might  have  drawn  lessons 
of  benevolence,  and  disinterestedness  from  thence,  and 
in  departing,  would  have  carried  away  an  impression,  fa- 
vourable to  humanity,  justice,  and  liberty. 

A  recent  work  on  education  contains  this  question  : 
"  Has  not  Parr  been  condemned  for  praising  the  virtues 
and  talents  of  Fox,  because  in  revealing  the  whole  man, 
he  stated  that  Fox  disbelieved  the  miracles  and  mys- 
teries of  religion  ?"  I  have  not  seen,  nor  am  I  now  able 
to  procure  any  work  of  Dr.  Parr's  relating  to  Mr.  Fox, 


289 


but  I  am  prepared  to  say  that  any  assertion  of  his  upon  so 
important  and  delicate  a  question,  does  not  at  all  coincide 
with  my  opinion  on  this  head,  if  he  attempted  to  state,  in 
an  unqualified  manner,  Mr.  Fox^s  disbelief  of  miracles. 
That  great  man  was  too  just  a  reasoner,  and  too  great  an 
enemy  to  dogmatic  assertion,  to  reject  the  powerful  testi- 
mony by  which  miracles  are  supported.  A  casual  ex- 
pression is  never  to  be  taken  for  a  fixed  and  serious  opi- 
nion, without  subsequent  and  considerable  corroboration. 
I  recollect  being  present  at  a  conversation  in  Stable  Yard, 
when  Mr.  Robertson  and,  I  think,  lord  Grey  were  in  the, 
room,  when  the  immortality  of  the  soul  w^as  touched  upon. 
Mr.  Fox,  then  very  ill,  spoke  upon  it  with  that  serious- 
ness, and  earnestness  for  demonstration,  which  marked 
him  on  all  weighty  subjects.  I  perceived  no  disposition 
to  express  any  arrogant  doubts,  but,  on  the  contrary,  that 
humble  and  modest  tone,  which,  upon  so  awful  a  topic, 
becomes  all  men. 

Resignation  to  Providence  was  a  very  marked  feature 
in  Mr.  Fox's  character.  Henever  meddled  with  abstruse 
and  mysterious  points  in  religion ;  in  death,  he  resigned 
himself  to  his  Creator,  with  unparalleled  calmness  and 
magnanimity.  Such  a  man  was  very  little  likely  to  ex- 
press disbelief  on  a  subject  vitally  connected  with  Christian- 
ity. I  had  the  satisfaction  and  happiness  of  enjoying  his 
most  intimate  society  for  a  great  part  of  the  last  eight 
years  of  his  life,  and  I  never  heard  an  expression — I  never 
observed  the  slightest  inclination  tending  to  such  doubt 
or  disbelief.  On  the  contrary,  it  will  be  found  that  as 
all  his  political  conduct  was  consonant  to  the  purest  and 
most  benevolent  conception  of  Christianity,  so,  even  in 
death,  he  maintained  the  same  tenour  and  tone  of  mind. 

Mrs.  Fox,  I  am  satisfied,  is  quite  competent  to  corrobo- 
rate every  word  I  have  written,  and  I  much  regret  that 
•  discreet,  and  injudicious  friendship  should  have  disturb- 
^^  his  ashes,  by  bringing  forward  a  vague   opinion,  which^ 

2  Q 


290 


if  even  once  entertained,  I  can  testify,  was  not  latterly 
adhered  to.  I  have,  however,  given  strong  grounds  for 
drawing  deductions  quite  contradictory  to  those  of  Dr. 
Parr.  Mr.  Fox,  in  his  whole  manners,  conduct,  and  last 
moments,  gave  me  the  clearest,  and  most  pleasing  idea 
of  a  sincere  and  true  Christian,  that  I  ever  imbibed. 

It  is  but  little  known  that  Mr.  Fox's  body  was  opened 
after  his  death.  The  result  was,  that  the  liver  was  found 
greatly  diseased,  and  what  is  termed  scirrhous  :  all  other 
vital  and  noble  parts,  I  was  informed  by  surgeon  Hawkins, 
were  sound  and  unimpaired,  so  as  to  have  insured  a  long 
and  vigorous  old  age.  It  will  be  recollected  that  Mr. 
Fox  himself  suggested  to  the  physicians,  the  plan  of  writ- 
ing and  sealing  up  medical  opinions,  and  opening  them 
after  the  disease  and  inspection  of  the  subject  upon  which 
they  had  been  pronounced.  This  suggestion  was  not  fol- 
lowed, in  his  own  case,  and  I  regret  that  it  was  not  :  it 
evinced  as  much  wisdom  and  penetration  as  it  did  magna- 
nimity and  love  for  his  fellow-creatures  :  he  seemed  desi- 
rous that  science  might  be  improved  by  correcting  uncer- 
tainty as  much  as  possible,  and  seemed  to  offer  himself  as 
a  subject  to  begin  with,  for  the  general  good.  Why  is 
anatomy  incontestably  of  the  utmost  service  to  the  human 
race  ?  For  exactly  the  same  reason  which  appeared  to  have 
influenced  Mr.  Fox's  mind,  when  tapped  the  second  time 
at  Chiswick  house.  His  mind  always  sought  for  demon- 
stration, and,  even  beyond  the  tomb,  he  seems  to  have 
pointed  the  way  to  improvements  in  medicine,  and  to  phy- 
sicians correcting  their  own  errors.  As  his  liver  was 
found  irretrievably  diseased,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that 
the  most  violent  medicine  was  improper  ;  because  pro- 
longation of  existence  might  have  been  attained,  and  per- 
fect recovery  could  not.  It  has  happened  to  me  since,  to 
administer  a  great  deal  of  digitalis  (under  the  direction  of 
a  physician)  to  a  young  man  attacked  by  ague,  and  threat- 
ened by  impending  consumption.  We  thought  him  dying, 
but  he  recovered  ;  he  was,  however,  young,  and  not  ma- 


291 

terially  affected  in  any  vital  part.  In  ordinary  cases,  it 
may  be  right  for  physicians  to  try  the  most  powerful 
medicines,  if  a  case  seem  hopeless,  because  it  may  be  a 
beneficial  experiment,  and  be  little  prejudicial  to  any  one; 
but  in  this  instance  of  Mr.  Fox,  the  prolongation  of  his 
invaluable  existence,  was  so  incalculably  important,  that 
the  welfare  of  the  community,  in  a  political  view,  should 
have  supersedecT  medical  experiments  and  its  chances. 

As  the  facts  ascertained,  by  opening  the  body,  proved, 
that  a  radical  cure  was  quite  hopeless,  I  request  that  I 
may  not  be  considered  as  unnecessarily  stirring  this  topic. 
I  write  for  mankind  and  posterity.  Other  great  charac- 
ters may  be  similarly  circumstanced  with  Mr.  Fox:  a 
moral  and  medical  view  of  circumstances  may  clash.  Let 
physicians,  therefore  remember  tbe  statesman,  and  prefer 
the  greater  to  the  smaller  object.  As  Mr.  Fox's  age  was 
not  more  than  fifty-seven,  and  his  constitution  a  very  vi- 
gorous one,  there  is  some  reason  to  think  he  might  have 
enjoyed  a  meliorated,  and  not  very  distressing,  state  of 
health  for  a  considerable  time,  if  the  palliative,  rather  than 
experimental  course,  had  been  pursued.  The  question 
certainly  admits  of  doubt,  but,"  in  my  view,  I  am  sure  the 
friend  or  the  statesman  would  prefer  the  former. 

I  cannot  be  presumed  to  know  the  quantity  of  digitalis 
administered,  nor  is  it  at  all  necessary  to  state  it.  That 
powerful  medicine  is  given  usually,  I  believe,  in  drops 
proportioned  to  the  strength,  age,  and  state  of  the  patient. 
Mr.  Fox's  disorder  had  made  its  first  appearance  about 
three  years  before  his  death,  or  between  two  and  three 
years,  as  I  am  well  informed.  That  was  the  time  to  have 
applied  powerful  remedies  with  good  hopes  of  ultimate 
success ;  but  he  himself  was  not  then  (or  any  of  his  family 
or  friends)  aware  of  his  situation.  When  the  disorder 
finally  forced  him  to  notice  it,  by  the  pain  and  uneasy  sen- 
sations attending  its  latter  stages,  it  came  like  a  deluge 
upon  him.      I  apprehend  it  had  proceeded   too   far,  and 


292 


that  his  period  of  life  was  too  advanced  to  admit  of  radi- 
cal cure.  It  is  surprising  that  he  had  not  himself  consult- 
ed some  physician  of  eminence,  on  the  slightest  symptom 
of  so  alarming  a  disorder,  as  that  which  carried  him  to 
the  grave;  but  he  was  nothing  timorous,  nothing  selfish, 
and  disregarded  what  would  have  alarmed  others. 

For  persons  who  were  eye  witnesses  of  the  last  melan- 
choly ceremonies  bestowed  on  the  mortal  remains  of  Mr. 
Fox,  little  is  necessary  to  be  recorded :  but  for  those  who 
live  in  the  distant  parts  of  the  empire,  and  those  who  may 
hereafter  peruse  with  interest  every  thing  relative  to  that 
great  man,  some  information  may  be  desirable.  I  have, 
therefore,  thought  it  not  right  to  omit  particulars  which, 
though  peculiarly  painful  to  myself  to  revive,  must  be 
matter  of  natural  curiosity  and  inquiry,  now  and  hereafter. 
I  am  quite  convinced  that  the  last  words,  or  I  may  say, 
efforts,  of  Mr.  Fox,  were  directed  to  the  object  of  depo- 
siting his  remains  at  Chertsey.  He  would,  from  his  cha- 
racter, and  from  his  peculiar  way  of  thinking  on  those 
subjects,  I  am  certain,  have  desired,  in  his  own  instance, 
to  have  avoided  all  ostentation  and  pomp  as  to  a  funeral 
or  burying  place.  The  vicinity  of  Chertsey  to  his  beloved 
St.  Anne's  Hill,  and  the  fond  wish  that  Mrs.  Fox  s  re- 
mains might  one  day  be  laid  beside  his,  would  have  been, 
strong  motives  with  him  for  expressing  a  wish  to  be  in- 
terred at  Chertsey.  I  know  of  no  other  idea  that  he 
would  have  been  so  likely  to  cherish  in  his  departing 
moments.  His  earnestness,  and  expressive  manner,  have 
left  a  lasting  impression  upon  me,  but  I  was  too  agitated 
and  oppressed  with  sorrow  to  reflect  sufficiently  upon  what 
was,  most  probably,  his  thoughts  at  such  an  awful  mo- 
ment. 

He  addressed  himself  exclusively  to  Mrs.  Fox,  and  his 
countenance  evidently  spoke  something  tender  and  do- 
mestic ;  something  connected  with  his  awful  and  melan- 
choly  3tate,  aiid  with   her  future    gratificj^tion.      I   dread 


293 


even  now  distressing  the  feelings  of  his  relict,  but  every  thing 
which  throws  light  on  a  character  so  noble  as  that  of  Mr. 
Fox,  is  too  valuable  and  interesting  to  be  withheld.  There 
is  no  circumstance  which  pourtrays  the  simplicity  and 
amiable  cast  of  it  more  than  this ;  that,  at  the  last  hour, 
he  should  desire  his  remains  to  be  withdrawn  from  the 
pomp,  and  crowds  of  the  metropolis,  from  the  reverential 
honours  of  a  great  nation,  and  wish  them  to  be  conducted 
with  silence  and  modesty,  to  those  rural  abodes  he  had  so 
long  and  so  warmly  admired  ;  to  be  placed  near  St.  Anne'3 
Hill,  and  m  imagination  to  watch  over  the  cares  and  sor- 
rows of  her  he  had  truly  adored;,  to  wait  with  fond  im- 
patience till  the  remains  of  both  were  united  in  the  grave. 
Here  was  Mr.  Fox's  genuine  character  eminently  display- 
ed— and  at  the  very  moment  preceding  his  last  sigh. 

If  the  beautiful  scripture  expression — "  Lord  let  me 
die  the  death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like 
his,"  was  ever  more  strongly  exemplified  in  one  instance 
than  in  another,  it  was  in  the  last  moments  of  Mr.  Fox  ; 
resignation,  mugnanimity,  and  faithful  conjugal  affection^ 
marked  them  in  so  happily,  and  beautifully  blended  com- 
bination, that  I  can  imagine  no  finer  subject  for  the  painter 
and  the  poet,  than  a  just  delineation  of  that  affecting  hour, 
when  Mr.  Fox  took  his  farewell  of  this  earthly  scene ;  the 
dying  look  which  turned  towards  home,  and  all  its  past 
endearments,  and  which  said,  **  lay  me  near  our  dear  and 
long-cherished  retreat,"  is  beyond  the  power  of  ordinary 
words,  or  even  of  the   magic  sister  arts  to  convey !         *= 

TV  W  W  ^  vP  'W  TV^  -TV*  •* 

At  It  was  decided  by  Mr.  Fox's  friends,  and  was  the 
general  wish  that  his  funeral  should  be  a  public  one,  and 
as  his  own  wishes  were  not,  or  could  not  be  known  re- 
specting it,  interment  in  Westminster  Abbey  was  deter- 
mined upon.  The  body  was  removed  to  the  house  re- 
cently occupied  by  him  in  Stable  Yard,  and  since  the 
residence  of  the  duke  of  York,  and  the  prince  regent,  aod  it 


294 


femained  there  three  weeks,  until  all  due  preparations 
had  been  made,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Sheridan,  for 
the  funeral.  This  gloomy  and  cheerless  period  was  less 
distressing  than  the  final  parting  with  all  that  remain- 
ed, of  what  I  had  cherished  and  revered  in  life ;  a- 
bove  all  things,  I  had  a  melancholy  gratification  in  having 
my  bed  in  the  adjoining  room,  and  in  eating  my  meals  in 
it.  The  sound  of  carriages  rolling  to  cabinet  dinners,  was 
often  a  subject  for  contemplation  in  this  period,  and  I  was 
often  induced  to  remark  how  soon  the  great  and  good  are 
forgotten  by  man,  when  power  deserts  them,  or  life  is  ex- 
tinct. Lord  Holland,  by  calling  frequently,  manifested 
an  affectionate  disposition  towards  his  revered  uncle,  and 
due  regard  to  his  memory,  as  well  as  gratitude  to  those 
attached  to  him. 

The  morning  of  the  funeral  brought  crowds,  so  alarm- 
ing in  point  of  numbers,  that  we  feared  the  gardens  and 
house  might  be  suddenly  filled.  Every  precaution  was 
taken  to  prevent  this,  and  with  complete  success.  I  re- 
ceived a  melancholy  satisfaction  from  beholding  the  as- 
semblage, which  filled  every  apartment  of  the  house,  the 
court-yard,  and  the  garden.  The  nobles  of  the  land, 
distinguished  commoners,  men  of  genius  and  talent  from 
all  quarters,  great  landed  pro|)rietors,  all  the  genuine  lovers 
of  liberty,  all  the  friends  to  science,  and  vast  numbers  of 
individuals,  of  the  most  respectable  situations,  were 
gathered  together,  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  veneration  and 
affection  to  the  illustrious  deceased. 

Sorrow  sat  on  every  countenance,  silence  and  order 
reigned  everywhere  ;  and  no  regulation  was  wanting  for 
men,  who  in  walking,  almost  dreaded  to  create  noise. 
Friendship,  genuine  friendship,  poured  her  unaffected 
tears  over  the  mighty  dead ;  never  was  a  scene  more 
solemn  and  more  affecting !  It  was  understood,  that  the 
heir  apparent  to  the  throne,  faithful  in  his  friendship  to 
the  latest  hour,  and  filled  with  the  deepest  sorrow,  would 


295 


have  attended  the  bier  to  the  grave,  would  indispensable 
etiquette  have  allowed  him.  As  the  body  was  raised 
upon  the  lofty  car,  almost  awful  from  its  size  and  simp- 
licity, the  sorrowing  multitude  received  it  with  affection 
and  grief  united ;  but  the  language  of  the  heart  was  all 
that  \vas  spoken. 

The  followers  of  Fox  to  the  grave  were  the  collected, 
and  unbought  men  of  rank,  genius,  and  virtue,  from  all 
parts  of  the  empire  :  England  was  foremost ;  she  esti- 
mj^ted  him  truly,  but  too  late  for  her  own  happiness  ;  and 
Scotland  gave  her  tribute  of  respect :  and  Ireland,  un- 
happy Ireland,  sent  her  drooping  sons  to  mourn  around, 
to  follow  the  bier  of  the  great  English  patriot,  the  mag- 
nanimous champion  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 

Slowly  the  vast  procession  passed ;  the  streets,  the 
windows,  the  tops  of  the  houses,  the  avenues,  were  crowd- 
ed with  sympathizing  spectators.  Three  nations  mourned 
with  sincere  sorrow,  for  the  great  minister  and  statesman 
who  was  borne  along.  Not  a  word  was  heard,  persons  of 
rank  and  fortune  walked  in  the  procession^  peers  and  com- 
moners, and  relatives  of  the  deceased,  alone  went  in  car- 
riages. "AH  was  decorous  ;  and  one  sentiment  govern- 
ed, pervaded,  aud  softened  this  immense  multitude.  Fox 
was  lost,  and  mankind  mourned.  Never  was  the  solemn 
march  of  a  vast  concourse  of  people  more  sublime  and 
interesting. 

As  the  great  bell  of  the  Abbey  tolled,  the  procession 
entered  the  yard ;  it  moved  softly  up  the  aisle  ;  the  grave 
appeared !  Oh !  best  and  most  valuable  of  men,  what 
was  the  anguish  of  sincere  and  grieving  friendship  at  that 
sight  !  All  suspense  was  now  at  an-  end  ;  the  last  link  was 
to  be  broken;  the  earth  was  to  hide  from  the  view  the 
remains  which  every  relative  and  friend  still  fondly  hung 
over  !  The  service,  solemn  and  impressive,  gave  a  short 
delay  ;  all  the   amiable,  all  the  admirable   qualities  of  the 


295 


departed,  rushod  upon  every  mind  :  youth  had  viewed 
him  as  a  father  and  a  friend ;  adult  and  mature  age,  as  a 
guide,  protector,  and  instructor ;  liberty  sighed  over  his 
grave,  and  religion  bent  over  the  ashes  of  him  who  had 
ever  revered  her  truths,  had  never  infringed  her  sacred 
rights,  or  trampled  on  her  usages  and  laws. 

The  grave  closed,  the  crumbling  earth  hid  from  anx- 
ious eyes  the  remains  of  Fox  !  An  exhausted,  and  lan- 
guid concourse  returned  to  their  homes,  pondering  on  the 
melancholy  void  left  in  the  world ;  and  feeling,  that  every 
one  had  lost,  in  this  great  man,  a  guardian  and  a  friend. 
fife********* 


THE  ENQ. 


PART  III. 


ORIGINAL  LETTERS 


^i    P 


LETTER  I 


My  Dear  Sir, 

I  do  assure  you,  your  letter  of  the  28th  ultimo, 
gave  both  Mrs.  F.  and  myself  the  highest  satisfaction,  as 
it  was  a  long  time  since  we  had  heard  from  you,  and  had 
learned  from  Bob  that  you  had  been  very  ill.  He  is  not 
now  here,  but  the  next  time  I  see  him,  I  will  tell  him  how 
shabby  it  is  of  him  not  to  write  to  you. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  your  account  of  the  people  of  the 
north,  and  I  think  they  are  bad  politicians  not  to  see  that 
the  support  of  the  anti-unionists  would  infallibly  lead  to 
the  procuring  of  the  substance,  instead  of  the  name  of  a 
parliament.  The  anti-unionists  must  feel  (and  this  was 
my  opinion  before  their  defeat  on  lord  Corry's  motion) 
that  they  are  far  too  weak  to  struggle  against  our  minister, 
without  the  assistance  of  the  people ;  and,  consequently, 
they  must  accede  to  reform  of  parliament,  catholic  eman- 
cipation, and,  in  one  word,  to  a  real  and  substantial  repre- 
sentation of  the  people,  which  must  produce  a  government 
as  popular  and  democratic  as  any  government  ought  to  be« 
As  things  are,  I  am  afraid  they  will  fail  for  want  of  sup- 
port, and  that  even  the  union  itself  may  be  forced  upon 


300 


5^ou ;  and  then   the    consequences,    either  way,  will   be 
dreadful  indeed. 

We  are  very  glad  you  think  of  being  in  England  in 
April,  when  I  hope  you  will  come  and  hear  our  night» 
ingales.  We  have  had  a  great  deal  of  bad  weather,  but  it  is 
growing  better,  and  the  crocuses^  snowdrops,  &c.  are 
giving  us,  every  day,  beautiful  indications  of  approaching 
spring.  Mrs.  F.  desires  to  be  kindly  remembered  to 
you. 

I  am,  my  dear  sir, 

Your's  ever, 

C.  J.  FOX, 

St.  A?me's  Hill,  2Ut  Feb.  99. 

fohn  B.  Trotter,  Esq,  Vtanstoxvn -^ 
near  Downpatricky  Ireland, 


LETTER  IL 


Dear  Sir, 

I  received  by  Tuesday's  coach  your  pamphlet 
upon  the  union,  and  your  verses,  for  which  Mrs.  F.  parti- 
cularly desires  me  to  thank  you ;  we  both  like  them 
very  much.  I  think  you  put  j^our  objections  to  the  union 
entirely  upon  the  right  grounds  ;  whether  there  is  spirit 
in  Ireland  to  act  up  to  your  principles,  is  another  question. 
I  do  not  know  whether  you  ever  heard  that  it  is  a  com- 
mon observation,  that  Irish  orators  are  generally  too  figura- 
tive in  their  language  for  the  English  taste  ;  perhaps  I  think 
parts  of  your  pamphlet  no  exception  to  this  observation ; 
but  this  is  a  fault  (if  it  be  a  fault)  easily  mended. 

As  to  Italian,  I  am  sure,  from  what  you  said,  that  you 
are  quite  far  advanced  enough,  to  make  a  master,  an  unne- 
cessary trouble  and  expense  ;  and  therefore  it  is  no  ex- 
cuse for  your  not  coming,  especially  as  it  is  a  study  in 
which  I  can  give  you.  and   \Yould  certainly  give  you  v/ith 


302 

pleasure,  any  assistance  you  could  wish.  In  German,  the 
case  is,  to  be  sure,  quite  different,  as  I  do  not  know  a  word 
of  it,  nor  have  any  German  books ;  of  Italian,  you  know 
we  have  plenty. 

I  am  sure  I  need   not  tell  you,  that  whenever  you  do 
come,  you  will  be  welcome. 

Your's  ever, 

C.  J.  FOX, 

St.  Anne's  Hill, 
Thursday. 


LETTER  III. 


I  KNOW  of  no  better,  nor,  indeed,  scarce  any  other 
life  of  Cicero,  than  Middleton's.  He  is  certainly  very  par- 
tial to  him,  but  upon  the  whole,  I  think  Cicero  was  a  good 
man.  The  salutary  effect  of  the  burning  of  his  houses, 
which  you  mention,  is  indeed  too  evident;  I  do  not  think 
quite  so  ill  of  his  poem  on  Csesar  as  you  do  ;  because  I 
presume  he  only  flattered  him  upon  the  points  where  he 
really  deserved  praise  ;  and  as  to  his  flatteries  of  him 
after  he  was  dictator,  in  his  speeches  for  Ligarius  and 
MarccUus,  I  not  only  excuse,  but  justify ,and  even  com* 
mend  them,  as  they  were  employed  for  the  best  of  pur- 
poses, in  favour  of  old  friends,  both  to  himself  and  to  the 
republic.  Nay,  I  even  think  that  his  manner  of  recom- 
mending to  Caesar  (in  the  pro  Marcello)  the  restoration 
of  the  republic,  is  even  bold  and  spirited.  After  all,  he 
certainly  was  a  man  liable  to  be  warped  from  what  was 
right  either  by  fear  or  vanity  ;  but  his  faults  seem  so  clear- 
ly to  have  been  infirmities,  rather  than  bad  principles,  or 
bad  passions,  that  I  cannot  but  like  him,  and,  in  a  great 
measure,  esteem  him  too.  The  openness  with  which,  in 
his  private  letters,  he  confesses  himself  to  be  ashamed  of 
part  of  his  conduct,  has  been  taken  great  advantage  of  by 


304 


detractors,  as  an  aggravation,  whereas  I  think  it  a  great 
extenuation  of  his  faults.  I  ought  to  caution  against 
trusting  to  the  translations  in  Middleton  ;  they  are  all 
vile,  and  many  of  them  unfaithful* 

If  your  sister  does  not  understand  Latin,  you  should 
translate  them  for  her  yourself.  I  do  assure  you,  my 
dear  sir,  it  always  gives  Mrs.  F.  and  me  great  pleasure  to 
hear  from  you,  and  especially  when  it  is  to  inform  us  that 
you  are  well  and  happy. 

Your's  ever, 

C.  J.  F, 


LETTER  IV. 


I  WAS  much  gratified,  my  dear  sir,  with  your  letter,  as 
your  taste  seems  so  exactly  to  agree  with  mine ;  and  am. 
very  g^ad,  for  your  sake,  that  you  have  taken  to  Greek,  as 
it  will  now  be  very  easy  to  you,  and  if  I  may  judge  from 
myself,  will  be  one  of  the  greatest  sources  of  amusement 
to  you.  Homer  and  Ariosto  have  always  been  my  favour- 
ites ;  there  is  something  so  delightful  in  their  wonderful 
facility,  and  the  apparent  absence  of  all  study,  in  their  ex- 
pression, which  is  almost  peculiar  to  them.  I  think  you  must 
be  very  partial,  however,  to  find  but  two  faults  in  the  twelve 
books  of  the  Iliad.  The  passage  in  the  9th  book,  about 
Amtn^  appears  to  me,  as  it  does  to  you,  both  poor  and 
forced  ;  but  I  have  no  great  objection  to  that  about  the 
wall  in  the  12th,  though,  to  be  sure,  it  is  not  very  necessa- 
ry. The  10th  book  has  always  been  a  particular  favourite 
with  me,  not  so  much  on  account  of  Diomede's  and  Ulys- 
ses's exploits,  (though  that  part  ts  excellent  too)  as  on  ac- 
count of  the  beginning,  which  describes  so  forcibly  the 
anxious  state  of  the  generals,  with  an  enemy  so  near,  and 
having  had  rather  the  worst  of  the  former  day.  I  do  not 
know  any  description  any  where  that  sets  the  thing  so 
clearly  before  one;  and  then  the  brotherly  feelings  of 
Agamemnon  towards    Menelaus,    and  the  modesty   and 

2  <l. 


306 

uauableaess  of  Menelaus's  character,  (whom  Homer,  by 
the  way  seems  to  be  particularly  fond  of)  are  very  affecting. 
Ariosto  has  certainly  taken  his  night  expedition  either  from 
Homer,  or  from  Virgil's  Nisus  or  Euryalus.  I  scarcely 
know  which  I  prefer  of  the  three;  I  rather  think  Virgil's  ; 
but  Ariosto  has  one  merit  beyond  the  others,  from  the  im- 
portant consequences  which  arise  from  it  to  the  story.  Tas- 
so  (for  he,  too,  must  have  whatever  is  in  the  Iliad  or  jEneid) 
is  a  very  poor  imitation,  as  far  as  I  recollect. 

I  suppose,  as  soon  as  you  have  done  the  the  Iliad  you 
will  read  the  Odyssey ;  which,  though  certainly  not  so 
£ne  a  poem,  is  to  my  taste,  still  pleasanter  to  read.  Pray 
Jet  me  know  what  parts  of  it  strike  you  most,  and  believe 
me  you  cannot  oblige  me  more  than  by  corresponding  on 
such  subjects.  Of  the  other  Greek  poets,  Hesiod,  Pindar, 
Eschylus,  Sophocles,  Euripides,  AppoUonius,  Rhodius, 
and  Theocritus,  are  the  most  worth  reading.  Of  the  trage- 
dians, I  like  Euripides  the  best;  but  Sophocles  is,  I  be- 
lieve, more  generally  preferred,  and  is  certainly  more 
finished,  and  has  fewer  gross  faults.  Theocritus,  in  his 
way,  is  perfect ;  the  two  first  Idylls,  particularly,  are  ex- 
cellent. I  suppose  the  ode  you  like  is  A^<yy/ir  a  KvBti^n^  which 
is  pretty  enough,  but  not  such  as  to  give  you  any  adequate 
idea  of  Theocritus.  There  is  an  elegy  upon  Adonis,  by 
Bion,  which  is  in  parts  very  beautiful,  and  particularly 
somes  lines  of  it  upon  the  common-place  of  death,  which 
have  been  imitated  over  and  over  again,  but  have  never 
been  equalled.  In  Hesiod,  the  account  of  Pandora,  of  the 
golden  age,  &c.  and  some  other  parts,  are  very  good;  but 
there  is  much  that  is  tiresome.  Perhaps  the  work,  which 
is  most  generally  considered  as  not  his,  I  niean  the  A^;r/f, 
is  the  one  that  has  most  poetry  in  it.  It  is  very  good,  and 
to  say  that  it  is  inferior  to  Homer's  and  Virgil's  shields, 
is  not  saying  much  against  it.  Pindar  is  too  often  obscure, 
and  sometimes  much  more  spun  out  and  wordy  than  suits 
my  taste ;  but  there  are  passages  in  him  quite  divine.  I 
have  not  read  above  half  his  works.  Appolloniws  Rhodius 


307 

is,  I  think,   very  well  worth  reading.    The  beginning  of 
Medsea's  love  is,  I  believe,  original,  and  though  often  co- 
pied since,   never  equalled.     There  are  many  other  fine 
parts  in  his  poem,  besides  some  of  which  Virgil  has  im- 
proved, others  scarce  equalled.     There  is,   however,   in 
the  greater  part  of  the  poem  an  appearance  of  labour,  and 
a  hardness,  that  makes  it  tiresome.      He  seems  to  me  to 
be  an  author  of  about  the   same   degree  of  genius  with 
Tasso ;   and  if  there  is  more  in  the  latter  to  be  liked,  there 
is  nothing  I  think,  to  be  liked  in  him  so  well  as  the  parts 
of   AppoUonius   to   which   I   have  alluded.     I   have  said 
nothing  of  Aristophanes,  because  I  never  read  him.   Calli- 
machus  and  Moschus  are  worth  reading;  but  there  is  little 
of  them.      By  the   way,    I   now  recollect  that  the  passage 
about  death,  which  I  said  was  in  Bion's  elegy  upon  Ado- 
nis, is  in  Moschus's  upon   Bion.      Now  you  have  all  my 
knowledge  about  Greek  poetry.      I  am  quite  pleased  at 
your  liking  Ariosto   so  much ;  though  indeed  I  foresaw 
you  would,  from  the  great  delight  you  expressed  at  Spen* 
ser,  who  is  certainly  inferior  to  him,  though  very  excellent 
too.     Tasso,  I  think  below  both  of  them,  but  many  count 
him   the   first  among  those  three ;   and   even   Metastasio, 
who  ought  to  be  a  better  judge  of  Italian  poetry  than  you 
or  I,  gives  him  upon  the  whole  the  preference  to  Ariosto* 

You  will,  of  course,  have  been  rejoiced  at  the  peace,  as 
we  all  are.  Mrs.  F.  desires  to  be  remembered  to  you 
kindly.  She  is  very  busy  just  now,  but  will  write  to  you 
soon.  I  think  this  place  has  looked  more  beautiful  than 
ever  this  year,  both  in  spring  and  summer,  and  so  it  does 
now  in  autumn.  I  have  been  very  idle  about  my  history, 
but  I  will  make  up  for  it  bye  and  bye ;  though  I  believe  I 
must  go  to  Paris,  to  look  at  some  papers  there,  before  I 
can  finish  the  first  volume.  I  think  in  the  last  half  of  the 
Iliad  you  will  admire  the  16th,  20th,  22d,  and  24th,  books 
particularly.  I  believe  the  general  opinion  is,  that  Homer 
did  write  near  the  shore,  and  he  certainly  does,  as  you  ob- 
ierve,  particularly  delight  in  illustrations  taken  from  th^ 


308 


sea,  waves,  &c.  Perhaps  a  lion  is  rather  too  frequent  a 
simile  with  him.  I  dare  say  you  were  delighted  with 
Helen  and  Priam  on  the  walls  in  the  3d  book ;  and  I  sus- 
pect you  will  be  proportionably  disgusted  with  Tasso's 
servile  and  ill-placed  imitation  of  it.  Do  not  imagine, 
however,  that  I  am  not  sensible  to  many  beauties  in  Tasso, 
especially  the  parts  imitated  by  Spenser,  Erminia's  flight 
and  adventure,  the  description  of  the  pestilence,  and  many 
others. 

I  am,  dear  Sir, 

Most  truly, 
Your's  ever, 
C.  J.  FOX. 
St,  Anne^s  Hill, 
Monday. 


(Post  Mark,  Oct.  20,  1801.) 


LETTER  V. 


My  dear  Sir, 

I  am  quite  scandalized  at  having  so  long 
delayed  answering  your  letters,  but  I  put  it  off,  as  I  am 
apt  to  do  every  thing,  from  day  to  day,  till  Christmas ; 
and  on  that  day  Mrs.  F.  was  taken  very  seriously  ill  with 
a  fever,  and  sore  throat  of  the  inflammatory  kind.  The 
violence  of  the  disorder  was  over  this  day  se'nnight,  but 
though  she  has  been  mending  ever  since,  she  is  still  weak. 
However,  she  may  now  be  called  comparatively  speaking, 
quite  well ;  and  I  did  not  like  to  write  till  I  could  tell  you 
that  she  was  so.  I  hope  you  go  on  with  your  Greek,  and 
long  to  know  whether  you  are  as  fond  of  the  Odyssey  as  I 
am,  as  also  what  progress  you  have  made  in  the  other 
poets.  The  Plutarchus,  whom  you  ask  after,  is,  I  believe, 
the  same  Plutarch  who  wrote  the  lives,  and  who  certainly 
was  of  Chajronea.  At  least,  I  never  heard  of  any  other  au- 
thor of  that  name,  and  he  wrote  many  philosophical 
works.  I  think  when  you  say  you  despise  Tasso,  you  go 
further  than  I  can  do ;  and  though  there  is  servility  in  his 
manner  of  imitation,  which  is  disgusting,  yet  it  is  hardly 
fair  to  be  angry  with  him  for  translating  a  simile  of 
Homer's,  a  plunder,  if  it  be  one,  of  which  nearly  every 


310 

poet  has  been  guilty.  If  there  be  one  who  hafe  not,  I  sus- 
pect it  is  he  whom  you  say  you  are  going  to  read,  I  mean 
Dante.  I  have  only  read  part  of  Dante,  and  admire  him 
very  much.  I  think  the  brilliant  passages  are  thicker  set 
in  his  works,  than  in  those  of  almost  any  other  poet,  but 
thewant  of  connexion  and  interest  makes  him  heavy;  and, 
besides,  the  difficulty  of  his  language,  which  I  do  not 
think  much  of,  the  obscurity  of  that  part  of  history  to 
which  he  refers,  is  much  against  him.  His  allusions,  in 
which  he  deals  not  a  little,  are,  in  consequence,  most  of 
them  lost. 

I  agree  in  liking  Armida,  but  cannot  help  thinking  Ri- 
c^lcJo^s  detention  in  his  gardens  very  inferior  to  Ruggiero'si 

Or  fino  agli  occhi  ben  nuota  nel  golfo 
Delle  delizie  e  delle  eose  belle. 

May  seem  to  some  an  expression  rather  too  familiar,  and 
nearly  foolish  ;  but  it  is  much  better  for  describing  the 
sort  of  situation  in  which  the  two  heroes  are  supposed  to 
be,  than  the  Romito  Amante  of  Tasso  ;  not  to  mention 
the  garden  of  Armida  being  all  on  the  inside  of  the 
palace,  and  walled  round  by  it,  instead  of  the  beautiful  coun- 
try described  by  Ariosto.  Do  you  not  think,  too,  that 
Spenser  has  much  improved  upon  Tasso,  by  giving  the 
song  in  praise  of  pleasure  to  a  nymph  rather  than  to  a 
parrot  t  Pray,  if  you  want  any  information  about  Greek 
poets  or  others,  that  I  can  give  you,  do  not  spare  me,  for 
:t  is  a  great  delight  to  me  to  be  employed  upon  such  sub- 
jects, with  one  who  has  a  true  relish  for  them. 

I  do  not  wonder  at  your  passionate  admiration  of  the 
Iliad,  and  agree  with  you  as  to  the  peculiar  beauty  of  most 
of  the  parts  you  mention.  The  interview  of  Priam  and 
Achilles  is,  I  think,  the  finest  of  all.  I  rather  think,  that 
in  Andromache's  first  lamentation,  she  dwells  too  much 
upon  her  child,  and  too  little  upon  Hector,  but  may  be 
J  am  wrong.     By  your  referring  to  the  4th  book  only  for 


311 

Agamemnon's  brotherly  kindness,  I  should  almost  suspect 
that  you  had  not  snfEciently  noticed  the  extreme  delicacy 
and  kindness  with  which  he  speaks  of  him  in  the  lOth,  v. 
120,  &c. 

We  have  not  at  all  fixed  our  time  for  going  to  Paris 
yet.  Mrs.  F.  desires  to  be  most  kindly  remembered  to 
you. 

I  am  very  truly, 

My  dear  Sir,  your's  ever, 

C.  J.  FOX. 

P.  S.  I  do  not  know  which  is  the  best  translation  of 
Don  Quixote  ;  I  have  only  read  Jarvis's,  which  I  think 
very  iudifferent.  I  like  Feijoo  very  much  when  I  read 
him,  but  I  have  not  his  works* 


LETTER  VI. 


My  Dear  sir, 

YOU    made    Mrs.  F.  and  me  very  happy  by 
letting  us  know  you  had  had  so  pleasant  a  tour,  and    that 
your  sister  and  yourself  were    so  well  after  your  fatigues  ; 
though  we  both  think  your  walks  on  some  days  must  have 
been  too  long.      I  am  not  sorry  that  Mrs.  F.  who  is  very 
busy  to-day,  has  commissioned  me  to  answer  your  letter 
for  her,  as  it  gives  me  an  opportunity  of  mentioning  some- 
thing to    you  which  I  have  had  in  my   head  some  time. 
We  are,  as  you  know,  going  abroad  soon,  chiefly  on  ac> 
count  of  some  state  papers  which  are  at  Paris,  and  which 
it  is  necessary  for  me,  with  a  view  to  my  history,  to  inspect 
carefully  ;  but  we  also  think  of  taking  in  our  way  a  tour 
through  Flanders  to  Spa.      It  has  sometimes  occurred  to 
me,  that  this  would  not  be   a  bad  opportunity  for  you    to 
gratify  a  curiosity,  which  you  can  scarcely  be   without,   of 
seeing  something  on  the  continent,  and  Paris  particularly. 
We  have  a  place  in  our  carriage,  and  of  course  you  would 
be  our  guest,  when  at  Spa,  Paris,  &c.      I  am   sure  it  will 
be  an  additional  motive    with  you  to  know   that,  besides 
the  pleasure  of  your  company,  your  assistance  in  examin- 
ing and  extracting  from  the  papers    at  Paris,  would    be 
materially  useful  to  me  ;  but  1  would  by  no  means  have  this 


313 

consideration  weigh  with  you,  unless  the  plan  is  otherwise 
suitable  and  agreeable  to  you.  I  cannot  yet  determine 
our  precise  time  of  setting  out,  as  it  depends  upon  some 
business,  not  altogether  in  my  own  power  ;  but  I  should 
think,  not  sooner  than  the  15th,  nor  later  than  the  30th  of 
next  month,  and  I  hope  to  be  back  about  Michaelmaso 
I  need  not  say  that,  if  you  do  think  of  coming  with  us,  with 
respect  to  a  week  or  two,  we  would  adapt  our  time  to 
your's  ;  only  it  is  so  great  an  object  with  me  to  be  at 
home  very  early  in  October,  if  not  in  September,  that  I 
cannot  put  off  our  departure  long. 

If  I  hear  any  thing  within  these  few  days  (which  is  not 
unlikely)  which  may  make  me  more  able  to  fix  what 
time  will  be  most  convenient  to  me,  I  will  let  you  know 
without  waiting  for  your  answer.  I  think  you  were  in 
great  luck  to  have  had  fine  weather  on  your  journeys, 
for  we  have  had  a  great  deal  of  bad  here,  though  not 
very  lately.  You  never  told  me  how  you  liked  the 
last  half  of  the  Odyssey  ;  I  think  the  simplicity  of  all 
the  part  with  the  swine  herd,  &c.  is  delightful,  though 
some  persons  account  it  too  low.  Did  you  observe  in  one 
passage,  that  the  suitors  have  exactly  the  Scotch  second 
sight  P 

Your's  ever, 

C.  J.   FOXc 

St.  Anne^s  Hill^ 
Thursday, 

tPost  Mark,  July  5thy  1802.) 


211 


LETTER  VIL 


My  Dear  Sir, 

I  received  yesterday  your  letter  of  the  28th, 
which  seems  to  have  been  a  good  while  upon  the  road. 
We  are  very  happy  at  the  thoughts  of  your  accompanying 
us,  and  I  make  no  doubt  but  we  shall  have  a  pleasant  tour. 
Do  not  by  any  means  hurry  yourself,  as  I  think  the  18th 
or  19th  of  the  month  will  be  the  earliest  day  on  which  we 
possibly  can  set  out,  but  I  will  write  again  on  Tuesday 
(the  day  of  my  election)  from  London,  by  which  time 
I  may  be  able  to  tell  you  something  more  certain,  and  at 
any  rate  you  will  not  be  too  late  by  waiting  for  that  lettero 
Mrs.  F.  desires  to  be  kindly  remembered. 

Your's  ever, 

C.  J.  FOX. 
St  Anne's  Hilly 
4th  Julij» 


LETTER  VIII 


My  Dear  Sir, 

I  had  intended  to  write  yesterday,  thinking  I  should 
have  no  opposition  here,  and  that  of  course  I  could  tell  you, 
with  some  certainty,  the  day  of  our  setting  out ;  but  there 
is  an  opposition,  which,  though  foolish  and  contemptible  to 
the  last  degree,  may  occasion  the  poll  to  be  protracted, 
which  leaves  me  in  great  uncertainty.  At  all  events,  the 
21st  is  the  earliest  day  I  can  think  of,  even  upon  the  sup- 
position that  this  business  is  over  this  week  ;  if  it  lasts,  our 
journey  cannot  take  place  till  the  29th  or  30th ;  however, 
I  will  write  to  you  again  to-morrow  or  next  day.  Write  a 
line,  directed  to  St.  Anne's  Hill ;  or  set  oiit,  and  make  up 
your  mind  to  the  chance  of  being  kept  some  days  in  this 
vile  place ;  at  St  Anne's,  I  know  you  Would  not  mind 
it. 

Your's  ever, 

C.J.FOXo 
Shakspeare  Tavern^ 
Covent  Garden^  7th  July, 

Numbet-s.  Fox,  504. 

Gardener,       401. 
Graham,         193. 


tETTER  m 


Shakspeare\ 
Qovent  Garden^  9tli  July. 

My  Dear  Sir, 

Though  this  vile  election   is  not  over,  nor  will 
be,  I  believe,  for  some  time,  yet  I  can  now  fix  the  time  of  om^ 
departure,  with  a  reasonable    certainty,   for  the    23rd  or 
24th  of  this  month.     I  have  no  time  to  write  more, 

Your^s  ever, 

C.  J.  FOX. 

Numbers,  Fox,  1194. 

Gardener,   1081. 
Graham,        533^ 

I  shall  go  to  St.  Anne's  Hill  to-morrow,  and  only  come 
here  occasionally,  next  week. 


LETTER  X= 


Farisy  October  27th. 

My  Hear  Sir, 

Mrs.  Fox  has  had  two  letters  from  you,  one 
from  Dover,  which  was  longer  coming  than  any  letter  ever 
was,  and  one  from  Chester,  and  desires  me  to  thank  you 
for  her,  though  she  has  no  excuse,  that  I  know  of,  expect 
idleness,  for  not  doing  so  herself.  She  has  had  another 
bad  cold,  with  rheumatism,  but  is,  thank  God,  nearly  welL 
We  do  not  wonder  at  your  finding  the  difference  between 
l^rench  and  English  manners,  5a  casual  acquaintance,  very 
great ;  and  I  doubt  much,  whether  we  have  any  great 
superiority  in  more  intimate  connexions,  to  compensate 
our  inferiority  in  this  respect,  you  remember,  no  doubt, 
Cowper's  character  of  us  in  the  Task  ;  it  is  excellent. 

I  do  not  think  we  have  seen  any  thing  worth  mentioning 
since  you  went,  or  rather  since  Mrs.  F.  wrote  to  you 
after  her  presentation ;  only  we  were  one  day  at  Rainey, 
formerly  the  duke  of  Orleans's,  which,  though  in  a  state 
of  neglect,  is  still  very  beautiful.    We  have-  seen  Madame 


318 


Duchesnois  again,  in  Roxane,  in  Bajazet,  and  either  the 
part  suited  her  better  than  the  others,  or  she  is  very  much 
improved.  My  work  is  finished  and  we  stay  now  only 
in  expectation  of  my  brother,  who  writes  word  that  he 
will  be  here  the  2d  of  November;  we  shall,  of  course, 
stay  some  days  with  him,  and  set  out,  I  think,  the  7th- 
I  have  made  visits  to  your  friends  the  consuls,  and  dined 
with  Le  Brun ;  he  seems  heavy,  but  if  he  is  the  author, 
as  they  say  he  is,  of  the  chancellor  Maupeoux's  ad- 
dresses to  the  parliament  at  the  end  of  Louis  XVIth's 
reign,  it  must  be  his  situation  that  has  stupified  him,  for 
they  are  very  good  indeed.  As  you  had  a  curiosity 
about  an  overturn,  it  is  very  well  it  was  satisfied  at  so 
cheap  a  rate.  We  shall  be  very  glad  to  hear  that  your 
mode  of  travelling  has  been  attended  with  no  worse 
consequences. 

I  suppose  you  will  now  go  in  earnest  to  law.  I  do 
not  know  much  of  the  matter,  but  I  suspect  that  a  regular 
attendance  (and  with  attention)  to  the  courts,  is  still  more 
important  than  any  reading  whatever ;  you,  of  course, 
read  Blackstone  over  and  over  again ;  and  if  so,  pray  tell 
me  whether  you  agree  with  me  in  thinking  his  style  of  Eng- 
lish the  very  best  among  our  modern  writers  ;  always  easy 
and  intelligible ;  far  more  correct  than  Hume,  and  less 
studied  and  made  up  than  Robertson.  It  is  a  pity  you 
did  not  see,  while  you  were  here,  Villerson,  the  great 
Grecian,  if  it  were  only  for  t^e  purpose  of  knowing  how 
fast  it  is  possible  for  the  human  voice  to  go  without  indis- 
tinctness. I  believe  he  could  recite  the  whole  Iliad  in 
four  hours.  He  has  a  great  deal  of  knowledge  of  all 
kinds,  and  it  is  well  he  has,  for,  at  his  rate,  he  would  run 
out  a  moderate  stock  in  half  an  hour.  I  hope  soon  to 
hear  you  are  got  safe  to  Dublin ;  direct  your  next  to  St. 
Anne's  Hill,  where  we  hope  to  be  by  the  13th  of  next 
month.  I  find  the  baronet  and  Grattan  are  both  in 
England,  so  I  have  no  message  to  send  to  your  country. 


319 

We  have  just  begun  the  Roman  comique,  and  have  al- 
ready found  the  originals  of  several  of  Fielding's  bloody- 
noses,  &c.  which  made  you  so  angry.  We  are  just  going 
to  pay  a  visit  to  the  museum. 

Your  affectionate  friends, 

C.  J.  FOX, 

E.  FOX. 

ffotel  de  Richelieu,  2^th  Oct. 


LETTER  XIIL 


My  Dear  Sir, 

Pray  do  not  think  you  trouble  me,  but  quite 
the  contrary,  by  writing  to  me,  and  especially  on  the  sub- 
ject of  your  poetical  studies.  What  I  do  not  like  in  your 
letter  is,  your  account  of  yourself;  and  I  am  afraid  a 
winter  in  Dublin,  which  may  be  so  useful  to  you  in  other 
respects,  may  not  be  quite  so  well  for  your  health ;  which, 
after  all,  is  the  grand  article.  Mrs.  F.  has  not  written 
lately,  because  j^ou  had  not  told  her  how  to  direct ;  and 
as  she  had  not  heard  of  your  receiving  the  last  letter  she 
directed  to  Glasnevin,  she  feared  that  might  not  do.  She 
desires  me  to  say  every  thing  that  is  kind  to  you* 

I  am  very  glad  you  prefer  Euripides  to  Sophocles,  be- 
cause it  is  my  taste ;  though  I  am  not  sure  that  it  is  not 
thought  a  heresy.  He  (Eur.)  appears  to  me  to  have 
much  more  of  facility  and  nature  in  his  way  of  writing, 
than  the  other.  The  speech  you  mention  of  Electra  is, 
indeed,  beautiful ;  but  when  you  have  read  some  more  of 
Euripides,  perhaps  you  will  not  think  it  quite  unrivalled. 
Of  all  Sophocles's  plays,  I  like  Electra  clearly  the  best, 
and  I  think  your  epithet  to  Oed.  Tyrs.  a  very  just  one ; 
it  is  really  to  me  a  disagreeable  play ;  and  yet  there  are 


321 

many  who  not  only  prefer  it  to  Electra,  but  reckon  it  the 
finest  specimen  of  the  Greek  theatre.      I  like  his  other  two 
plays  upon  the   Theban  story  both  better,   i.  e.  the  Oed. 
Col.  and  the  Antigone.      In  the  latter  there  is  a   passage 
in  her  answer  to  Cicero  that  is,  perhaps,  the  sublimest  in 
the  world ;  and,  in  many  parts  of  the  play  there  is  a  spirit 
almost  miraculous,   if,  as  it  is   said,  Sophocles,  was  past 
eighty  when  he  composed  it.      Cicero  has  made  great  use 
of  the  passage   I   allude  to,  in  his  oration  for  Milo.      I 
suppose  you  selected  Hipp,  and  Iph.  in  Aulis,  on  account 
of  Racine ;  and  I  hope   you  have  observed  with  what  ex- 
treme judgment  he  has  imitated  them.      In  the  character 
of  Hipp,  only,  I   think  he  has  fallen  short  of  his  original. 
The  scene  of  Phedra's  discovery  of  her  love  to  her  nurse 
he  has  imitated  pretty  closely  ;  and  if  he  has  not  surpassed 
it,  it  is  only  because  that  was  impossible.      His  Clytem- 
nestra,  too,  is  excellent,  but  would  have  been  better  if  he 
had  ventured  to  bring  on  the  young  Orestes  as  Eur.  does. 
The  change  which  you  mention  in  the  Greek  Iphigenia,  I 
like  extremely ;  but  it  is  censured  by  Aristotle  as  a  change 
of  character,   not,   I  think,  justly.      Perhaps,  the  sudden 
change  in  Menelaus,  which  he  also  censures,  is  less  defen- 
sible.     Now,  though  the  two  plays  of   Eur.  which  you 
have  read,  are  undoubtedly  among  his  best,  I  will  venture 
to  assure  you,  that  there  are  four  others  you  will  like  full 
as  well;  Medea,  Phcsnissae,  Heraclida:;,  and  Alcestis;  with 
the  last  of  which,  if  I  know  any  thing  of  your  taste,  you 
will  be  enchanted,     Many  faults  are  found  with, it,    but 
those  faults   lead  to  the  greatest  beauties.      For  instance 
if  Hercules's  levity  is  a  little  improper  in  a  tragedy    his 
shame  afterwards,  and  the  immediate  consequence  of  that 
shame  being  a  more  than  human  exertion,  afford  the  finest 
picture  of   an  heroic  mind   that   exists.     The   speech  be- 
ginning 6*  ^ox\«  Txacrct  Ktt^d.dy  &c.  is  divine.     Besides  the  two 
you  have,  and   the  four  I  have  recommended,    Hercules 
Furcns,  Iph.  in  Tauris,    Hecuba,   Bacchce,  and  Troacles, 
are  all  very  excellent.      Then  come  Ion,  Supplices,  Elec- 
tra and  Helen ;    Orestes  and  Andromache  are,    in    my 

2  s 


322 

judgment,  the  worst.  I  have  not  mentioned  Rhesus  and 
Cyclops,  because  the  former  is  not;  thought  to  be  really 
Euripides's  and  the  latter  is  entirely  comic,  or  rather  a 
very  coarse  farce ;  excellent,  however,  in  its  way,  and  the 
conception,  of  the  characters  not  unlike  that  of  Shakspeare 
in  Caliban.  I  should  never  finish,  if  I  were  to  let  myself 
go  upon  Euripides.  In  two  very  material  points,  how- 
ever, he  is  certainly  far  excelled  by  Sophocles:  1st,  in 
the  introduction  of  proper  subjects  in  the  songs  of  the 
chorus  ;  and,  2dly,  in  the  management  of  his  plot.  The 
extreme  absurdity  of  the  chorus,  in  Medea  suffering  her 
to  kill  her  children,  and  of  that  in  Phsedra  letting  her 
hang  herself,  without  the  least  attempt  to  prevent  it,  has 
been  often  and  justly  ridiculed;  but  what  signify  faults, 
where  there  are  such  excessive  beauties  ?  Pray  write  soon, 
and  let  me  know,  if  you  have  read  more  of  these  plays, 
what  you  think  of  them. 

If  you  do  not  go  to  Dublin  before  my  brother  returns, 
you  had  better  commission  somebody  to  call  at  the  Royal 
Hospital,  for  some  books  of  which  Mrs.  H.  Fox  took  the 
charge  for  you,  but  which,  as  she  writes,  she  does  not 
know  where  to  send.  I  think  my  brother's  return  a  very 
bad  symptom  of  the  intentions  of  government  with  regard 
to  poor  Ireland ;  but  that  is  a  subject  as  fruitful,  though 
not  so  pleasant,  as  that  of  Euripides. 

Your's,  ever  most  truly, 

C.  J.  FOX, 

St*  Anne^s  Uili,  Friday* 

P.  S.  When  you  have  read  the  two  farewell  speeches 
of  Medea  and  Alcestis  to  their  children,  I  do  not  think 
you  will  say  that  Electra's  is  quite  unrivalled,  thougb 
most  excellent  undoubtedly  it  i-. 


LETTER  XIVo 


My  Dear  Sir, 

I  inclose  you  a  letter  for  Mr.  G.  Ponsonby,  to  whom 
also  I  mentioned  you  in  a  letter  I  wrote  him  a  few  days 
since,  upon  another  subject.  We  are  very  happy,  indeed, 
to  hear  so  much  better  account  of  your  health,  than  that 
which  you  gave  me  in  your  former  letters.  Now  that  you 
are  settled  in  Dublin,  and  hard  at  it  with  the  law,  I  ought 
not,  according  to  common  notions,  to  answer  your  ques- 
tions about  iEschylus,  &c.  but  I  am  of  opinion,  that  the 
study  of  good  authors,  and  especially  poets,  ought  never 
to  be  intermitted  by  any  man  who  is  to  speak  or  write  for 
the  public,  or,  indeed,  who  has  any  occasion  to  tax  his 
imagination,  whether  it  be  for  argument,  for  illustration, 
for  ornament,  for  sentiment,  or  any  other  purpose.  I  said 
nothing  of  iEschylus,  because  I  know  but  little  of  him  ; 
I  read  two  of  his  plays,  the  Septem  apud  Thebas,  and  the 
Prometheus,  at  Oxford ;  of  which  I  do  not  remember 
much,  except  that  I  liked  the  last  far  the  best.  I  have 
since  read  the  Eumenicles,  in  which  there  are,  no  doubt, 
most  sublime  passages  ;  but  in  general  the  figures  are 
too  forced  and  hard  for  mv  taste  |  and  then  there  is  too 


324 


much  of  the  grand  and  terrific,  and  gigantic,  without  a 
mixture  of  any  thing,  either  tender  or  pleasant,  or  elegant, 
%vhich  keeps  the  mind  too  much  on  the  stretch.  This 
never  suits  my  taste  ;  and  I  feel  the  same  objection  to 
most  parts  of  the  Paradise  Lost,  though  in  that  poem, 
there  are  most  splendid  exceptions.  Eve,  Paradise,  &c.  I 
have  heard  that  the  Agamemnon,  if  you  can  conquer  its 
obscurity,  is  the  finest  of  all  -^schylus's  plays,  and  I  will 
attempt  it  when  I  have  a  little  time.  I  quite  long  to  hear 
how  you  are  captivated  with  Alcestis,  for  captivated,  I 
am  sure  you  will  be. 

Mrs.  Fox  desires  to  be  remembered  kindly :  we  have 
been  a  great  deal  from  home  these  last  two  months,  twice 
at  lord  Robert's,  and  at  Woburn,  and  Mr.  Whitbread's  ; 
%ve  are  no  where,  as  I  hope,  to  stay  with  little  interrup- 
tion ;  and  very  happy  we  are  to  be  here  quietly  again, 
though  our  parties  were  very  pleasant ;  and  I  think  change 
of  air  at  this  time  of  the  year  is  always  good  for  the  colds 
to  which  Mrs.  Fox  is  so  subject. 

I  was  just  going  to  end  without  noticing  Pindar ;  I 
dare  say  the  obscurities  are  chiefly  owing  to  our  want  of 
means  of  making  out  the  allusions  ;  his  style  is  more  full 
of  allusions  than  that  of  any  other  poet,  except,  perhaps, 
Dante,  who  is  on  that  account  so  difficult,  and  as  I  think 
on  that  acco^mt  only.  The  fine  passages  in  Pindar  are 
equal  to,  if  not  beyond,  any  thing :  but  the  want  of  in- 
terest in  the  subjects,  and,  if  it  is  not  blasphemy  to  say 
so,  the  excessive  profusion  of  words,  make  him  some- 
thing bordering  upon  tedious.  There  is  a  fire  in  the  cele- 
brated passage  in  the  2d  Olympick,  which  begins  r«(pic  © 
ii'Sec  i!pvx  ?r*^A«,  that  is  quit  eunequalledin  any  poem  whatever ; 
and  the  sweetness  in  the  preceding  part,  describing  the 
happy  islands,  is  in  its  way  almost  as  good.  Pray  let  us 
hear  from  you  soon,  that  you  are  well,  and  happy  ;  if  you 
read  the  Heraclidse  of  Euripides,  pray  tell  me  if  you  are 


325 

particularly  struck  by  one  passage  in   Demophoon's  part ; 
if  you  miss  it,  I  will  point  it  out  to  you. 

Your's  sincerely, 

C.  J.  FOX. 

St,  Anne*s  Hill,  3Ionday. 

P.  S,  Woodlarks  are  said  to  be  very  common  in  the 
west  of  England ;  here  we  have  a  few,  and  but  few.  The 
books  which  you  left  were  sent  by  my  brother,  but  he  not 
being  able  to  find  your  direction,  brought  them  back* 


>.c\ 

I 

jqufl 

hii:. 

.(.iffjfr 

[  Uk\ 

I       .0-1 

u?\A 

;f  ;Infdj 

i}nii 

IT      .-gfii 

bnt»i 

srlj  nsowiad 

^iU  io  jrrijoo 

ST  v;i37  -Ji 

3:1  f  I 

jifq  j/:rli   : 

■I    la 

T  1 

1      .sr/i'jq?.; 

^ijfia 

,^<i\ 

c/ifl  ODcIq 

aiffi 

j'lDii? 

?!       .107:) 

nurfj 

;  ...  -',  -4  1  - 

Unr\ 

LETTER  XV. 


My  Dear  Sir, 

I  heard  yesterday,  for  the  first  time,  a  report 
that  you  had  been  very  unwell ;  pray  lose  no  time  in  writ- 
ing me  a  line,  either  to  contradict  the  report,  or  to  say  that 
you  are  recovered.  I  know  you  will  excuse  my  having 
been  so  long  without  writing,  on  the  score  of  the  constant 
business  which  I  had  in  London,  and  which  you  know 
me  enough  to  know  is  not  very  agreeable  to  my  nature. 

I  have  now  been  here  a  little  more  than  three  weeks, 
and  hope  soon  to  get  again  to  my  Greek,  and  my  History, 
but  hitherto  have  had  too  many  visitants  to  have  much 
leisure.  I  have  read  Iphigenia  in  Aulis  since  I  last  wrote, 
and  think  much  more  highly  of  it  than  I  did  on  the  first 
reading.  The  scene  where  the  quarrel  and  reconciliation 
between  the  brothers  is,  has  always  been  blamed,  on  ac- 
count of  the  too  quick  change  of  mind  in  Menelaus ;  but  I 
like  it  very  much,  and  there  is  something  in  the  manner 
of  it  that  puts  me  in  mind  of  Brutus  and  Cassius,  in 
Shakspeare.  We  have  had  no  very  good  weather ;  but 
this  place  has  been  in  great  beauty,  greater,  if  possible, 
than  ever.  Is  there  ny  chance  of  your  coming  to  Eng- 
land ?  If  there  isyyouknovf  we  expect  and  insist  that  you 


327 

come  directly  hither.  I  hope  that,  with  the  exception  of 
a  few  occasional  visits  of  two  or  three  days,  I  shall  be 
here  with  little  interruption,  till  the  meeting  of  parliament. 
Mrs.  Fox  desires  me  to  say  every  thing  that  is  kind  for 
her.  She,  too,  says  she  has  been  too  busy  to  write  ;  and  the 
truth  is,  that  the  company  we  have  had  here  has  entirely 
taken  up  her  time.     Pray  lose  no  time  in  writing. 


.S*^.  Anne's  Hilly  Tuesday, 


Your's  ever  affectionately, 
C.  J.  FOX. 


P.  S.  I  am  sure  it  will  give  you  pleasure  to  hear  that 
Grattan's  success  in  the  H.  of  C.  was  complete  and  ac- 
knowledged, even  by  those  who  had  entertained  great 
hopes  of  his  failure. 

I  do  not  know  what  interest  yoi^r  relations  have  in  the 
county  of  Downe,  nor  what  you  have  with  them;  but  if 
their  interest  could  be  got  in  favour  of  Mr.  Meade,  I 
should  be  very  happy  ;  if  you  should  hear  how  the  election 
is  going  on,  I  should  be  obliged  to  you  if  you  would 
menlion  it. 


LETTER  \VL 


ii^ 


My  dear  Sir, 

It  gives  Mrs.  F.  and  me  great  pleasure  to 
hear  that  you  think  you  are  getting  better,  and  that,  too, 
in  spite  of  the  weather,  which  if  it  has  been  with  you  as 
i^ith  us,  has  been  by  no  means  favourable  to  such  a  com- 
plaint as  your's.  The  sooner  you  can  come  the  better ; 
and  I  cannot  help  hoping  that  this  air  will  do  you  good. 
Parts  of  the  1st,  and  still  more  of  the  2nd  book  of  the 
jEneid,  are  capital  indeed  ,*  the  description  of  the  night 
sack  of  a  town,  being  a  subject  not  touched  by  Homer, 
hinders  it  from  having  that  appearance  of  too  close  imita- 
tion which  Virgil's  other  battles  have ;  and  the  details, 
Priam's  death,  Helen's  appearance,  Hector's  in  the  dream, 
and  many  others,  are  enchanting.  The  proem,  too,  to 
Eneas's  narration  is  perfection  itself.  The  part  about  Sinon 
and  Laocoon  does  not  so  much  please  me,  though  I  have 
nothing  to  say  against  it.  Perhaps  it  is  too  long,  but  what- 
ever be  the  cause,  I  feel  it  to  be  rather  cold.  As  to  your 
friend's  heresy,  I  cannot  much  wonder  at,  or  blame  it, 
since  I  used  to  be  of  the  same  opinion  myself;  but  I  am 
now  a  convert ;  and  my  chief  reason  is,  that,  though  the 
detached  parts  of  the  iEneid  appear  to  me  to  be  equal  to 


sss* 


any  thing,  the  story  and  characters  appear  more  faulty 
every  time  I  read  it.  My  chief  objection  (I  mean  that  to 
the  character  of  Eneas)  is,  of  course,  not  so  much  felt 
in  the  three  first  books  ;  but,  afterwards,  he  is  always  either 
insipid  or  odious,  sometimes  excites  interest  against  him, 
and  never  for  him. 

The  events  of  the  war,  too,  are  not  striking ;  and  Pal- 
las and  Lausus,  who  most  interest  you,  are  in  effect  ex- 
actly alike.  But,  in  parts,  I  admire  Virgil  more  and 
more  every  day,  such  as  those  I  have  alluded  to  in  the 
2nd  book  ;  the  finding  of  Andromache  in  the  third,  every 
thing  relating  to  Dido;  the  6th  book;  the  visit  to  Evan- 
der,  in  the  8th;  Nisus  and  Euryalus,  Mezentius's  death, 
and  many  others.  In  point  of  passion  I  think  Dido  equal, 
if  not  superior,  to  any  thing  in  Homer,  or  Shakspeare, 
or  Euripides ;  for  me,  that  is  saying  every  thing. 

One  thing  which  delights  me  in  the  Iliad  and  Odyssey, 
and  of  which  there  is  nothing  in  Virgil,  is  the  picture  of 
manners,  which  seem  to  be  so  truly  delineated.  The 
times  in  which  Homer  lived  undoubtedly  gave  him  a  great 
advantage  in  this  respect ;  since,  from  his  nearness  to  the 
times  of  which  he  writes,  what  we  always  see  to  be  inven- 
tion in  Virgil,  appears  like  the  plain  truth  in  Homer. 
Upon  this  principle,  a  friend  of  mine  observed,  that  the 
characters  in  Shakspeare's  historical  plays  always  appear 
more  real  than  those  of  his  others.  But  exclusive  of  this 
advantage,  Homer  certainly  attends  to  character  more 
than  his  imitator.  I  hope  your  friend,  with  all  his  partial- 
ity, will  not  maintain  that  the  simile  in  the  1st  iEneid, 
comparing  Dido  to  Diana,  is  equal  to  that  in  the  Odys- 
sey, comparing  Narcissa  to  her,  either  in  propriety  of  ap- 
plication, or  in  beauty  of  description.  If  there  is  an  Ap- 
poUonius  Rhodius  where  you  are,  pray  look  at  Medea's 
speech,  lib.  iv.  v.  365,  and  you  will  perceive,  that  even 
in  Dido's  finest  speech,  nee  tibi  diva  parens^  £sPc.  he  has 
imitated  a  good  deal,  and  especially  those  expressive  and 

2  T 


330 


sudden  turns,  neque  te  teneOy  £s?c.  but  then  he  has  made 
wonderful  improvements,  and,  on  the  whole,  it  is,  perhaps^ 
the  finest  thing  in  all  poetry. 

Now  if  you  are  not  tired  of  all  this  criticism,  it  is  not 
my  fault.  The  bad  weather  has  preserved  a  verdure  here, 
which  makes  it  more  beautiful  than  ever  ;  and  Mrs.  Fox 
is  in  nice  good  health,  and  sb  every  thing  goes  well  with 
me,  which  I  am  sure  you  will  like  to  hear ;  but  I  have 
not  yet  had  a  moment  for  history.  I  sent  you  some 
weeks  ago,  though  I  forgot  to  mention  it  in  my  letter, 
some  books  you  had  left  in  England,  by  a  gentleman  whose 
name,  I  think,  is  Croker.  It  was  RoUeston  who  under- 
took to  give  them  him,  directed  to  you  in  Capel  street. 
I  added  to  them  a  duplicate  I  had  of  Miller,  on  the  Eng- 
lish constitution  ;  a  book  dedicated  to  me,  and  which  is 
written  on  the  best  and  soundest  principles ;  but  I  fear  it 
is  more  instructive  than  amusing,  »»,  though  ii  very  sensi- 
ble man,  he  was  not  a  lively  one. 

Yours,  very  affectionately, 

C.  J.  FOX. 
St»  Anne's  Hill^  Wednesday, 

P.  S.   Even  in  the  1st  book,   Eneas    says,  "  Sum  plus 
Eneas^fama  super  cethera  notus.^^     Can  you,  bear  this  ? 


LETTER  XVIL 


Paris,  21  FentosB,  12  Marsc 

ASSUREMENT,  Monsieur,  je  ne  cederai  a  personne, 
pas  meme  a  mon  fils,  le  plaisir  de  repondre  aux  temoign- 
ages  de  votre  interet,  qui  nous  sont  bien  precieux  a  touso 
II  n'est  que  trop  vrai  que  M .  de  la  Fayette  a  eprouve  un 
^fFroyable  accident,  il  s'est  casse  I'os  que  I'on  appelle  Pos 
dufameer  fracture.  Autrefois  inguerissable,  une  machine 
d'une  admirable  invention,  donne  depuis  quelques  annees, 
la  certitude  de  n'etre  pas  estropie,  apres  cette  fracture  en 
se  soumettant  d'abord  a  la  torture  de  I'extension  qu'elle 
opere,  et  qui  cause  d'inexprimable  douleurs,puis  a  la  duree 
d'une  gene  cruelle  pendant  deux  mois  dans  les  entraves  de 
cette  machine,  dont  les  points  de  pression,  cause  une  des 
ecorchures  que  chaque  jour  rend  plus  profondes,  sans  qu'il 
soit  possible  de  rien  deranger  pour  les  panser. 

La  premiere  epoque  de  ces  supplices  est  passee,  nous 
sommes,  au  29eme  jour  de  I'application  de  la  machine,  et 
il  ne  reste  que  des  douleurs  bien  penibles,  mais  a  present 
supportables,  et  qui  apres  avoir  exerce,  d'une  maniere 
nouvelle  son  courage,  exercice  a  present  sa  patience,  I'un 
et  Tautre  sont  superieures  a  ses  soufFrances,  et  cette  con- 


332 

stance  perseverante  au  milieu  de  ses  maux  soutient  les 
forces  de  tout  ce  qui  Tenvironne,  dont  vous  jugez  la  dou- 
leur.  Tous  les  details  que  je  prends  la  liberte  de  vous 
donner,  Monsieur,  vous  prouveront  assez  quelle  confiance 
vous  nous  avez  inspire  dans  votre  interet  pour  notre  cher 
malade.  C'est  avec  un  vive  ssnsibilite  xju'il  en  a  recu 
I'expression,  que  contient  votre  bonne  et  amiable  lettre, 
nous  conservons  tous  le  souvenir,  et  un  souvenir  bien  re- 
connoissante,  des  momens  que  vous  nous  avez  donner  a 
La  Grange,  nous  desirous  bien  de  vous  y  revoir,  tous  nos 
enfans  reunis  aupres  de  leur  pere  s'unissent  a  nos  vceux 
comme  a  tous  les  sentimens  que  vous  avez  droit  d'inspirer, 
et  aveclesquels  j'ai  Thonneur  d'etre.  Monsieur,  votre  tres 
humble  et  obeissante  servante, 

NOAILLES  LA  FAYETTE. 

Farisy  9,  Rue  Verte^  No.  109* 

La  sante  de  notre  cher  malade  ne  nous  a  donne  I'inqui- 
ctude  d'aucune  danger,  et  son  etat  done  nous  avons  la 
confiance  bien  fondee,  qu'il  ne  resultera  aucune  suite 
funeste  /  apres  70  jours  environ  il  doit  essayer  de  marcher, 
mais  il  faudra  au  moins  4  ou  5  mois  pour  etre  ferme  suF 
jambes. 

Mr.  Trotter^  Ireland, 


LETTER  XVIII. 


La  Grange,  \5th  Vendemiaire,  1802, 

Mt  Dear  Sir, 

I  affectionately  thank  you  for  your  kind  letter, 
and  the  opportunity  you  give  me  to  express  how  happy  I 
have  been  in  the  pleasure  of  your  company  at  La  Grange. 
I  hope  our  acquaintance  has  been  productive  of  mutual 
lasting  friendship?  and  I  wish  it  too  much  not  to  have 
been  sensible  of  the  reciprocity  of  your  sentiments  in  my 
behalf. 

Your  correspondence,  my  dear  sir,  will  be  particularly 
agreeable.  My  wife  and  family  request  their  acknowledg- 
ments, and  best  compliments,  to  be  presented  to  you.  We 
shall  ever  be  anxious  to  hear  of  your  welfare,  and  much 
gratified  by  the  .expectation  to  receive  you  before  long  in 
those  rural  retirements,  to  which  you  have  been  pleased  to 
feel  a  partiality. 

I  am,  with  the  truest  sentiments  of  esteem  and  affection, 
my  dear  sir. 

Yours, 

LA  FAYETTE. 

Mr.  Trotter,    - 


LETTER    XIX 


La  Grange^  1  Prairialy  An,  10* 
General, 

Lorsq'un  homme  penetre  de  la  reconnoissanct. 
qu'il  vous  doit,  et  trop  sensible  a  la  gloire  pour  ne  pas 
aimer  la  votre,  a  mis  des  restrictions,  a  son  suffrage,  elles 
sont  d'autant  moins  suspectes  que  personne  ne  jouira  plus 
que  lui  de  vous  voir  premier  magistral  a  vie  d'une  repub- 
lique  libre.  Le  18  Brumaire  a  sauve  la  France,  et  je  me 
sentis  rappelle  par  les  professions  liberales  auxquelles  vous 
avez  attache  votre  honneur ;  on  vit  dans  la  pouvoir  con- 
sulaire  cette  dictature  reparatrice,  qui  sous  les  auspices  de 
votre  genie  a  fait  de  si  grandes  choses,  moins  grandes,  ce- 
pendant,  que  sera  la  restauration  de  la  liberte.  II  est  im- 
possible que  vous,  general,  le  premier  dans  cette  ordre  des 
hommes,  qui  pour  se  comparer  et  se  placer,  embrassant 
tous  les  siecles,  vouliez  qu'une  telle  revolution,  tant  de 
victoires  et  de  sang,  de  douleur  et  de  prodiges,  n'aient 
pour  le  monde  et  pour  vous  d'autre  ^resultat  qu'un  regime 
arbitraire.  Le  peuple  Francois  a  trop  connu  ses  droits 
pour  les  avoir  oublies  sans  retour,  mais  peutetre  est  il  plus 
en  etat  aujourd'hui,  que  dans  son  effervescence  de  les  re- 
couvrir  utilement,  et  vous  par  le  force  de  votre  caractere, 


335 

cjt  de  la  confiance  publique,  par  la  superiorite  de  vos  talens, 
de  votre  existence,  de  votre  fortune,  pouvez,  in  retablissent 
la  liberte,  maitriser  tous  les  dangers,  rassurer  toutes  les 
inquietudes.  Je  n'ai  done  que  des  motifs  patriotiques  et 
personel  pour  vous  souhaiter  dans  ce  compliment  de  votre 
gloire  une  magistrature  permanente.  Mais  il  convient 
aux  principes,  aux  engagemants,  aux  actions  de  ma  vie 
entiere  d'attendre  pour  lui  donner  ma  voix  qu'elle  ait  ete 
fondee,  sur  des  bases  dignes  de  la  nation  et  de  vous. 

J'espere  que  vous  reconnoitrez  ici,  general,  comma  vous 
I'avez  deja  fait,  qu'a  la  perseverance  de  mes  opinions  po- 
litique s  se  joignent  de  voeux  sincere  pour  votre  personne, 
et  un  sentiment  profond  de  mes  obligations  envers  vous. 

Salut  et  respect, 

LA  FAYETTE. 

N.  P.  Sera  t-il  consul  a  vie.  Je  ne  puis  voter  une 
telle  magistrature  jusqu'a  ce  que  la  liberte  politique  soit 
suffisament  garantie,  alors  je  donne  ma  voix  pour  N.  B. 


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